Apple’s ambitious plan to expand iPhone production in India has reportedly been dealt a blow as Foxconn Technology Group has instructed hundreds of Chinese engineers and technicians working at its Indian factories to return home.
According to a recent media report, the majority of Foxconn’s Chinese personnel stationed across iPhone assembly plants in southern India were asked to leave about two months ago. Since then, over 300 workers have exited the facilities, and Taiwanese support staff have stepped in to manage operations, sources familiar with the matter revealed.
The decision, though not officially confirmed by Foxconn or Apple, comes amid growing restrictions from China. Earlier this year, Chinese authorities had informally urged regulatory bodies and local governments to restrict the export of technology and manufacturing equipment to India and Southeast Asia. This move is seen by many as an attempt to discourage companies from relocating production out of China.
Foxconn’s southern India factory remains Apple’s largest iPhone manufacturing hub in the country. In addition to Foxconn, Tata Group’s electronics arm—which recently acquired Wistron Corp. and took over Pegatron Corp.’s local operations—plays a crucial role in assembling iPhones domestically.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously praised the "skill and expertise of Chinese assembly workers," crediting them as a vital reason for Apple’s manufacturing dependence on China. With the exit of Chinese staff from Indian facilities, there are rising concerns about delays in local worker training and hindered technology transfer, both of which are crucial to boosting output and quality.
“The extraction won’t impact the quality of production in India, but it’s likely to affect efficiency on the assembly line,” said one person familiar with the situation.
The absence of experienced Chinese technicians may also lead to increased production costs and lower operational efficiency, say insiders.
Apple had been working on shifting the entire assembly of iPhones sold in the US to India by as early as next year—a move meant to diversify production away from China. Currently, Indian plants produce about 40 million iPhones annually, accounting for 15% of Apple’s global output.
This development raises fresh questions about Apple’s ability to meet production targets and scale up operations in India, which has been a cornerstone of its diversification strategy.
Apple's manufacturing ambitions in India—seen as a strategic move to reduce reliance on China—have encountered a significant roadblock with Foxconn’s withdrawal of over 300 Chinese engineers and technicians.
While Indian facilities remain operational under Taiwanese oversight, the absence of experienced Chinese staff is expected to hamper the pace of training, delay technology transfer, and potentially reduce assembly line efficiency. This comes at a time when Apple is planning to shift the entire US iPhone assembly to India by next year, with local plants currently contributing around 15% of its global output.
Although production quality is not expected to drop, the transition may raise operational costs and slow the scaling process. With growing geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions from China, the path ahead for Apple’s India expansion looks challenging. The development underscores the complex dynamics of global tech manufacturing and the fragile balance between geopolitical interests and corporate strategies.