Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said that investing in India today is a smart economic move for all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Speaking at the Bharat Telecom event, he pointed to Apple as an example, highlighting the US tech giant’s decision to manufacture most of the iPhones sold in the US from India.
The minister said, “Apple has decided to source and produce all its mobile phones in India in the years to come.” Scindia also emphasised that such investments in India are not just driven by goodwill but is also economically sound for every OEM.
He further added that while investing in India, “you are choosing affordability, you are choosing reliability, you are choosing originality.”
During Apple’s recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook announced that the majority of iPhones sold in the US in the June quarter will be sourced from India. Meanwhile, China will continue to manufacture most of the devices for other global markets, as the company grapples with ongoing uncertainty around tax tariffs.
Minister of state for telecommunications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani also noted India’s transformation, from a major importer of mobile phones in 2014 to a leading producer and exporter. Back in 2014, India produced 60 lakh mobile phones and imported 21 crore units. By 2024, production had surged to 33 crore units, with exports reaching 5 crore.
He highlighted India’s growing contribution to Apple’s global supply chain, saying that 15% of the world’s iPhones are now made in India. According to marketing research firm IDC, Apple shipped 23.21 crore iPhones globally.
Pemmasani further appreciated the advancements in India’s semiconductor mission, which is crucial for establishing the country as a global hub for electronics, system design, and manufacturing. The development of semiconductor fabrication plants within India was described as a milestone in achieving technological self-reliance.