Modi tells Apple, 'Make in India'

SAN JOSE ( CALIFORNIA): With leading tech giants looking to India as a major investment destination, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks to tap into this growing sentiment. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook met Mr Modi and responded positively to the prospect of setting up manufacturing in India. Mr Cook was asked by Mr Modi to start manufacturing of Apple products in India.

Mr Modi who is in the west coast of US as part of his six-day visit to the country had a one-on-one engagement with tech-giants of Silicon Valley, which is home to innovation and entrepreneurship along with being the world’s largest tech hub. Mr Modi is in the US meeting many investors in New York and Silicon Valley to improve the investment climate in India. Asking Mr Cook to set up manufacturing in India, the Modi government is looking to give thrust to its flagship programme, Make in India, to increase manufacturing in India and make it a manufacturing hub.

Apple’s brand value is huge. It is among one of the most preferred for the youth in India. Its iPhone, iPad and Mac systems are a rage among the youth worldwide especially India. Apple designs Macs, which are said to be the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad. In January 2015, Apple reported record revenue of USD 74.6 billion. Apple’s entry into India would make it another major tech giant making inroads into India and going beyond the customary back-end services. Setting up a manufacturing unit in India would boost its brand value further with India being a large potential market where the purchasing power is high. It would also provide huge employment to India, considering it is one of the largest consumer markets in the world today with a favourable demographic dividend.

Speaking about Apple’s bonding with India, CEO Cook said, “Apple has a unique tie with India. Our founder Steve Jobs went to India for inspiration.”

“My meeting with Prime Minister Modi was terrific,” said the Apple chief after the meeting.

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