India has also become the world’s second-largest smartphone market after China, measured by volume. The production increase by Apple’s suppliers Foxconn and Tata Electronics in southern India has been the biggest success of Modi’s “Make in India” drive to create more manufacturing jobs in the world’s most populous country.

United Statestech giant Apple said this month that India would play a major role in making iPhones for the US market. "A majority of iPhones sold in the US will have India as their country of origin,

The government's think tank, Niti Aayog, has acknowledged India's "limited success" in attracting investment shifting from China. It noted that factors like cheaper labour, simpler tax laws, lower tariffs, and proactive Free Trade Agreements helped countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia expand exports - while India lagged behind.

Apple is likely to be the biggest loser if it leaves India to build a manufacturing unit in the US as wanted by US President Donald Trump. The price of an iPhone will increase manifold.

Apple’s global manufacturing realignment is gathering pace, with Foxconn’s fresh investment fuelling India’s growing status as the world’s iPhone factory.