Cook, Modi meet but Apple yet to commit on Make in India

Apple CEO Tim Cook concludes his four-day trip that could set the stage for Apple's expansion in India

In what is being seen as the foundation stone for Apple’s mega expansion in India, Chief Executive Tim Cook met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday, concluding his four-day trip.

Modi and Cook discussed Apple’s plans for India, including the possibility of manufacturing and retailing here, in an hour-long meeting. Cook offered a glimmer of hope but no commitment on manufacturing in India. “We are here for a thousand years,” Cook had said in an interview on Friday, raising expectations.

During his interaction with the PM, Cook referred to both manufacturing and retailing in the country as “possibilities”, without indicating any timeline or investment. Officials privy to the matter confirmed that Apple did not give any commitment on making its products in India when Cook called on PM at his official residence.

The 55-year-old CEO engaged with Modi on a number of subjects, ranging from visiting Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple to watching an IPL match in Kanpur, from renewable energy to state election results in India. The PM said “seeing is believing” and hoped that Cook’s India experience would definitely steer his business decisions.

Following the meeting, government said Cook shared Apple’s future plans for India: “He spoke of the possibilities of manufacturing and retailing in India. He appreciated the breadth of young talent in India, and said the youth have significant skills which Apple would like to tap.”

Last year, when Modi had gone to Silicon Valley, the two had discussed manufacturing of Apple products in India in the backdrop of the Prime Minister’s Make in India campaign. But so far the Cupertino-based tech giant has not moved in this direction.

India recently rejected Apple’s proposal to import and sell refurbished products here. But in what looks like a bargain deal, India has decided to ease the retailing rules for Apple to set up its own branded stores. The government has also hinted it would waive the local sourcing conditions for Apple.

Cook flew to Mumbai in his private jet on Tuesday night, after wrapping up his week-long China tour. Over the past few days, he’s travelled from Mumbai to Hyderabad to Kanpur to New Delhi, meeting business heads, start-ups, politicians, film stars and sports persons. Finally, on Saturday, Cook along with Apple COO Jeff Williams met the PM.

In a scenario of declining sales in markets such as the US and China, India holds immense potential for Apple. In the quarter ended March, iPhone sales fell 16 per cent globally, while sales in India grew 56 per cent.

The company’s largest global manufacturing partner Foxconn has already signed a joint venture with the Adani Group to manufacture in India.

During the hour-long meeting, the PM sought Apple’s cooperation in furthering the key objectives of Digital India in e-education, health and increasing farmers’ incomes.

For now, Cook launched an updated version of the ‘Narendra Modi Mobile App’ and posted thank you messages on Twitter before flying back to the US.