- By Prateek Levi
- Thu, 03 Jul 2025 04:32 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Foxconn, Apple’s top manufacturing partner and one of the largest electronics makers globally, has reportedly pulled back more than 300 Chinese engineers and technicians from its iPhone plants in India. According to a report from Bloomberg, the recall began around two months ago, though the company has not given any official reason for the move.
While the cause remains unclear, the timing aligns with Beijing’s recent push to curb the outflow of skilled labour, advanced manufacturing know-how, and high-tech equipment to countries like India and Vietnam — a move that seems aimed at slowing the global shift of production away from China.
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Foxconn had deployed these Chinese specialists in India to help scale up production and train the local workforce. While their departure isn’t expected to hurt iPhone quality, it may slow down assembly operations and reduce the pace of technology transfer, the report notes.
The development comes at a critical time for Apple. As it prepares for the production of the upcoming iPhone 17, the company is doubling down on its India strategy. It recently set up a new manufacturing unit in southern India, and the country now contributes around 20% of global iPhone output — a figure expected to grow in the near future.
Indian government officials have been briefed about the recall but weren’t given specific details. For now, iPhone manufacturing in India is expected to continue without disruption. Still, the situation underscores the broader challenges Apple faces as it seeks to diversify production beyond China. Ongoing U.S.-China tensions, export restrictions, and evolving labour dynamics are all shaping how and where the tech industry operates.
As for the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple is expected to unveil it globally in September — though the launch date hasn’t been officially confirmed yet.