In recent years, India has actively positioned itself as a manufacturing hub and a viable alternative to China, especially amid global supply chain shifts and geopolitical tensions. One key example of this is Apple's growing investment in India.
Apple's Manufacturing in India
Contrary to some social media claims, Apple has already been manufacturing iPhones in India for several years. Starting in 2017 with older models, Apple has steadily expanded its operations. As of 2023–2024:
Apple is assembling iPhone 12, 13, 14, and even the iPhone 15 in India.
Major Apple suppliers like Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron are operating facilities in states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Nearly 7% of global iPhone production was estimated to be done in India as of 2023, with plans to increase this share significantly.
Trump’s Stance
During his presidency, Donald Trump emphasized an “America First” approach, encouraging U.S. companies to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. While he often criticized China and sometimes other countries for taking American jobs, there is no credible record of him specifically saying that “iPhones will never be made in India” or framing India in derogatory terms. His administration was more focused on reducing dependency on China.
India's Position
India is not "humiliated" in the global tech race. While it faces challenges such as infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and workforce training, it has made significant strides in becoming a destination for electronics manufacturing. The Indian government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have played a role in attracting global players like Apple.
Conclusion
It’s important to separate emotionally charged or politically motivated narratives from facts. India is, in fact, becoming an increasingly important player in the global electronics manufacturing ecosystem, including for premium brands like Apple. While challenges remain, the trajectory is clearly upward.
