Apple CEO Tim Cook is trying to get permission to sell certified second-hand phones in India, and is probably going to raise the issue in the upcoming meeting with Narendra Modi, though the news is not confirmed to be agreed by PM as he wants to promote Make In India.
Modi is likely to ask cook to make apple products in India whereas cook has remained non-committal on the production plans, a person familiar with the matter said.
“We want to bring back pre-owned phone to a pristine condition for a user in the Indian market, we may have to bring in some phones to sort of fuel the supply chain and the process will be done in the country,” Cook said in an interview.
Tim Cook
The government is keen for Apple to begin manufacturing in India as it would give the ‘Make in India’ initiative a huge boost. This, especially as Apple’s major production partner Foxconn is already manufacturing for other brands.
The Taiwanese made aggressive expansion plans too. Apple’s tough competitor and India’s Smartphone market leader Samsung already has two manufacturing plants in the country — in Noida and Chennai
“We see a bright future for Apple retail in India. It’s not a done deal yet, we have applied for the rights to do that, we are working closely with the government, and I am really optimistic about.” Cook said.
