Roller-coaster ride: How Apple's India strategy finally bore fruit

Behind the inauguration of two signature stores next week is a roller-coaster ride for the IT major in its effort to make India its alternative manufacturing and export hub

Till recently, his impending arrival was a closely guarded secret. But on April 18 and 20 when Apple Inc inaugurates its maiden company owned stores in Delhi and Mumbai, Tim Cook, CEO, who is coming to India should  likely  be present.

The inauguration of the Apple stores will symbolise the Cupertino, California-based conglomerate’s ambitions to make India a manufacturing and export hub. They will also mark the end of a roller-coaster ride for Apple, ever since Cook’s first visit to India seven years ago. Then, it was reported, his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not go so well.