(Commonwealth_India) Apple’s decision to deepen its collaboration with India’s Tata Group marks a critical evolution in its global operations strategy, particularly as it seeks to reduce dependence on China and localize services in key emerging markets. The recent move to transfer after-sales repair operations of iPhones and MacBooks to Tata’s facility in Karnataka is a major milestone in that effort. Until now, these services were handled by Wistron’s Indian arm, ICT Service Management Solutions, but Apple is now signaling a strong vote of confidence in Tata’s growing capabilities and infrastructure.
The handover of these complex repair responsibilities is not merely an operational shift—it reflects Apple’s broader goal of building a more resilient, region-specific service ecosystem in India. The company’s decision aligns with the dramatic rise in iPhone adoption in the Indian market, where sales have surged to nearly 11 million units in the past year. This remarkable growth has catapulted Apple’s market share in India to 7%, up from just 1% in 2020. It’s a testament to Apple’s increasing brand penetration and appeal in a country where cost-sensitive consumers have traditionally leaned toward more affordable Android options.
By centralizing repair operations at Tata’s state-of-the-art facility in Karnataka, Apple is improving service quality and turnaround times and strengthening its commitment to ‘Make in India’—a campaign championed by the Indian government to boost domestic manufacturing and job creation. As Apple becomes more integrated into India’s economic fabric, the move also enables cost efficiencies, quicker logistics, and compliance with India’s localization mandates.
Beyond after-sales services, Tata’s engagement with Apple has been growing on the manufacturing front. Tata Electronics’ acquisition of a 60% stake in Pegatron Technology India earlier this year was a major consolidation move. Pegatron already operates a facility near Chennai that assembles iPhones, and the deal underscores Tata’s ambition to become a leading player in Apple’s supply chain.
Further amplifying this trend, Tata is also constructing a massive new iPhone assembly plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Expectations are high for this factory, which could potentially employ around 50,000 workers over the next two years. The scale of this project reflects Tata’s long-term vision and signals Apple’s intentions to ramp up production in India to serve both domestic and global markets.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has publicly acknowledged India’s rising significance in the company’s global operations. He noted that a substantial share of iPhones sold in the United States during the June quarter will be manufactured in India—an extraordinary development considering that just a few years ago, nearly all iPhones were assembled in China. The diversification of Apple’s manufacturing base buffers the company against geopolitical risks and enhances supply chain flexibility.
This deepening relationship with Tata represents a model of strategic alignment that extends beyond transactional business. It is a confluence of interests where Tata gains access to Apple’s cutting-edge technology ecosystem, while Apple benefits from Tata’s extensive industrial reach, engineering talent, and operational scale in India.
The evolving partnership between Apple and Tata is more than a business arrangement—it is emblematic of a shifting global tech landscape, where India is no longer just a consumption market but a hub for innovation, manufacturing, and high-quality services. With repair operations, device assembly, and supply chain activities increasingly moving to Indian soil, Apple is laying the groundwork for a long-term, embedded presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
