• Source:JND
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Indian authorities have assured citizens that iPhone production remains unaffected, even following Foxconn's reported move of withdrawing hundreds of Chinese workers from its manufacturing hub in Tamil Nadu. They noted there should be no immediate cause for alarm, since Apple and its suppliers possess sufficient resources to continue running smoothly.

Apple's increasing dependence on India for iPhone production continues to expand, and recent events—such as trial production of its forthcoming model 17 - demonstrate this country's increased strategic significance within Apple's global supply chain.

Why Did Foxconn Withdraw Chinese Workers?

Foxconn, Apple’s largest manufacturing partner, recently removed around 300 Chinese engineers and technical staff from its Sriperumbudur facility in Tamil Nadu. These workers were involved in:

  • Managing precision assembly lines
  • Designing factory layouts
  • Training Indian workers on complex tooling

Now, Taiwanese staff reportedly make up the bulk of the remaining on-site technical team.

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Indian Government Not Worried About Production Impact

 

A senior government official told PTI:

“The government is monitoring the situation. Apple has alternatives and they should be able to look at ways to handle this. The issue is primarily between Apple and Foxconn.”

Officials noted that Apple has the ability to reallocate skilled personnel from regions like Taiwan, Vietnam, or Brazil if needed.

iPhone 17 Trial Production Begins in India

Despite the staffing shake-up, Foxconn has already begun trial production of the iPhone 17 in India, well ahead of its expected September launch. Key developments include:

Shipments of essential components, such as camera modules and displays, have already started

Mass production is scheduled to begin in August

Apple is expected to assemble iPhone 17 Pro models in India—a first for high-end variants.

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India’s Role in iPhone Manufacturing is Growing

Apple is steadily reducing its dependence on China by expanding its manufacturing operations in India:

  • iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 models are already produced in India
  • iPhone 16 assembly is underway
  • Tata Electronics has begun supplying metal casings for the iPhone 17

iPhone exports from India surged 219% YoY in March, with a major chunk going to the US

Challenges: Talent Gap After Chinese Worker Exit

While India is gaining manufacturing ground, Foxconn may face short-term hurdles:

  • The sudden exit of Chinese staff has created a talent gap, especially in advanced tooling and training
  • Local talent development will be key to sustaining long-term production goals

However, Apple’s and Foxconn’s investment in India indicates a commitment to building a robust local ecosystem.

Conclusion

While Foxconn may face short-term difficulties from losing Chinese engineers, Apple's iPhone production in India continues on schedule despite these setbacks. iPhone 17 trial production is already under way and mass manufacturing just weeks away; India continues its transformation into a global iPhone assembly hub; both government leaders and Apple remain confident in India's contingency plans; as the numbers speak for themselves, India will play an increasing role in Apple's supply chain going forward.