Foxconn, is significantly expanding its operations in India.
The Taiwanese company has begun constructing a sprawling 300-acre iPhone production campus, underscoring India’s growing importance as a global manufacturing hub. This move marks a pivotal moment not only for Apple’s supply chain strategy but also for India’s aspirations to become a major player in the high-tech manufacturing sector.
The new facility is being developed with ambitious scale and purpose. Spanning a vast area equivalent to more than 200 football fields, the campus is being designed to accommodate the complex requirements of iPhone production, including assembly lines, testing labs, and quality control units. What sets this development apart is the integration of extensive infrastructure for the workforce. Dormitories capable of housing up to 30,000 employees are being constructed as part of the campus, indicating Foxconn’s intent to create a self-sustained, high-efficiency industrial ecosystem.
Foxconn’s expansion into India comes as part of a broader realignment of global supply chains, accelerated by geopolitical tensions and the need for companies to diversify manufacturing away from China. Over the past few years, escalating trade tensions between the United States and China, along with pandemic-induced disruptions, have led technology firms to reassess their dependency on a single country for production. For Apple, whose devices are largely assembled in China, this move represents a decisive step toward geographical diversification and risk mitigation.
India, for its part, has aggressively courted global manufacturers through initiatives like “Make in India” and production-linked incentives (PLI) for electronics and smartphone manufacturing. These policy frameworks have offered financial incentives, eased regulations, and provided infrastructural support to attract foreign direct investment in manufacturing. Foxconn’s large-scale investment reflects confidence in India’s policy direction and its readiness to support complex, high-volume production of premium consumer electronics.
The new campus is expected to produce millions of iPhones annually, with a focus on both domestic and export markets. India has rapidly grown into one of the world’s largest smartphone markets, and Apple’s decision to manufacture iPhones locally helps the company navigate import duties and cater more effectively to price-sensitive consumers. It also positions India as a potential alternative to China for Apple’s global supply needs, a strategic priority as the company seeks to shield itself from future supply chain shocks.
The decision to integrate employee housing on the production site speaks volumes about Foxconn’s long-term vision for its Indian operations. The company has traditionally followed this model in China, where massive factory-dormitory complexes allow for round-the-clock operations and logistical efficiencies. By replicating this model in India, Foxconn is likely aiming to ensure high levels of productivity, while also addressing concerns about worker welfare and urban infrastructure challenges.
Local economies are already beginning to feel the ripple effects of the development. The campus is generating thousands of construction jobs and is expected to create a steady stream of employment opportunities once operational. Ancillary industries such as logistics, catering, security, and maintenance are also expected to benefit. Beyond the direct economic impact, the establishment of such a large and advanced facility is poised to boost technical skills and manufacturing capabilities in the region, fostering broader industrial development.
The choice of location for the plant has also been strategic. Situated in a region with proximity to major ports, highways, and airports, the campus offers logistical advantages for both domestic distribution and international export. State governments have competed vigorously to attract such investments, offering land, tax benefits, and infrastructural support. Foxconn’s project is a victory for India’s economic planners, who view high-tech manufacturing as a cornerstone of the country’s development trajectory.
The move also carries symbolic weight. For years, India has struggled to establish itself as more than an assembly line for low-end electronics. The production of high-value, globally popular devices like the iPhone represents a leap in the country’s manufacturing profile. It signals to the world that India can meet the exacting standards of the most premium tech brands, and it may inspire other companies to follow suit.
