The Indian government has reassured that there is no concern about any impact on iPhone production in the nation following the departure of Chinese workers from Foxconn’s operations in India. Apple has a large manufacturing network and can quickly reallocate resources if needed, officials stressed. For example, Foxconn is able to bring in skilled workers from other hubs, such as Taiwan, Vietnam, or Brazil, to maintain smooth operations.
“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,” a senior government official told PTI, requesting anonymity.
Foxconn Technology Group, Apple’s Taiwanese manufacturing partner, reportedly withdrew about 300 Chinese engineers and technical personnel from its Indian facilities last week, according to multiple reports. Due to this decision, Taiwanese personnel now make up the majority of the remaining on-site support team in India.
According to insiders, the Chinese engineers played a crucial role in managing advanced assembly lines, designing factory layouts, and training Indian workers to use the precision tools required for iPhone production. Foxconn—Apple’s top contract manufacturing partner—runs its largest Indian plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, where it builds iPhones for both the local market and global exports.
In parallel, Foxconn has started trial production of the upcoming iPhone 17 in India. To support this phase, the Apple supplier has begun shipping vital parts—such as display units and rear camera modules—into the country.
With the iPhone 17 lineup set to debut in September, mass production is expected to kick off by August. This move reflects Apple’s ongoing strategy to broaden its manufacturing footprint, positioning India as an increasingly important hub for both assembly and global distribution.
In addition to keeping production lines for earlier models like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14, Apple is already assembling the iPhone 16 in India. It is anticipated that this manufacturing momentum will continue with the iPhone 17, which will include the production of its Pro models in India.
This move marks a gradual departure from China’s hegemony in the initial phases of iPhone manufacturing. By providing metal casings for the iPhone 17, Tata Electronics is contributing significantly alongside Foxconn.
With shipments to the U.S. alone increasing 219% year over year in March, this cooperative effort has contributed to a sharp increase in iPhone exports from India. However, there are challenges facing Foxconn’s operations in India, chief among them being a talent shortage brought on by the departure of many Chinese engineers.