It's official: Apple will make iPhones in India at Bengaluru facility

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Apple will assemble iPhones at a facility near BengaluruNo timeline has been provided, but production is expected to begin in June

BENGALURU: Apple will soon have 'Made in India' iPhones, and they will come out of a factory in Bengaluru. The Karnataka government on Thursday issued a release welcoming Apple's proposal "to commence initial manufacturing operations" in the state.

TOI was the first to report, in December , that Apple had finalized Bengaluru as the assembling location, but officials in neither Apple nor the government were then willing to confirm the development.

The release, signed by state IT minister Priyank Kharge, said Apple's intentions to manufacture in Bengaluru "will foster cutting edge technology ecosystem and supply chain development in the state, which are critical for India to compete globally." Though it did not provide a timeline, production is expected to begin in June.

India will be the third country globally to assemble iPhones, an indication of how important the country has become for one of the world's most valued companies. The release said state ministers and officials had met with several senior Apple executives including Cupertino-based Priya Balasubramaniam, VP - iPhone operations, Dheeraj Chugh, director - iPhone operations, and Ali Khanafer, senior manager - government affairs (India and Middle East).

Taiwanese company Wistron, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of Apple, will make the iPhones out of its facility in the city's industrial hub of Peenya. The government said discussions are on with Apple for collaborations in other areas too. "We made concerted efforts to reach out to Apple directly. We want to create a conducive environment for global majors like Apple," Kharge told TOI.

Gujarat, Maharasthra and Telangana too were competing for the Apple facility.