Apple Expands Presence In India With New Subsidiary Focused On R&D, Manufacturing Support

Apple has established a new subsidiary, Apple Operations India, to enhance its footprint in India, focusing on research, design, testing and support for third-party manufacturers, signalling its first direct presence in the country. This development is a step into Apple’s strategy to diversify its production base beyond China amid ongoing global geopolitical shifts.

In a recent filing with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Apple indicated that Apple Operations India would play a critical role in expanding its hardware development activities and procurement capabilities within India. The subsidiary’s goals include the acquisition of engineering equipment, leasing of facilities and recruitment of engineers focused on hardware development, alongside providing failure analysis services to Apple group companies.

Apple has issued a ‘letter of comfort’ to ensure its operational and financial support for the new entity, positioning India as a potential future site for the company’s hardware design and testing—a first for the country, as these functions are currently centralized in the US, China, Germany and Israel.

According to the Economic Times report, Apple Operations India is establishing a notable operational presence with capital investments, including Rs 38.2 crore allocated to capital work-in-progress and Rs 36.8 crore for fixed assets. The new subsidiary aims to support and streamline Apple’s growing manufacturing partnerships in India.

Currently, Apple collaborates with Foxconn, Pegatron and Tata-owned Wistron to assemble iPhones in India. Recently, Apple also revealed plans to start initial manufacturing of the iPhone 17 base model in India, marking a notable step toward local production, slated to commence in late 2025.

Mohit Yadav, founder of business intelligence firm AltInfo, commented on the significance of this expansion, stating that Apple’s focus on R&D, manufacturing support and procurement reflects the company’s intent to deepen its operational roots in India beyond assembly and retail.

This move comes as India attracts global manufacturers with government incentives such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which encourages companies to establish or expand their manufacturing base in the country. Apple’s strategic pivot to India follows the US-China geopolitical tensions and supply chain challenges, with India emerging as a key player in Apple's global production diversification efforts.