iPhone-making Chinese engineers are leaving India: A big concern for Apple
Foxconn called back more than 300 Chinese technicians and engineers from India, could have an impact on iPhone 17 production
Apple’s biggest iPhone manufacturer Foxconn has called back more than 300 of its Chinese engineers and technicians from India. These people were working in iPhone plants in Tamil Nadu. According to a Bloomberg report, this withdrawal started two months ago, and now only some Taiwanese support staff are left in Foxconn’s India plants.
This development is a major setback for Apple as the company is gearing up for the production of the iPhone 17. Foxconn recently started work on a new iPhone assembly plant in Tamil Nadu where the new generation iPhones will be made. But with the exit of Chinese engineers, Apple may now face a shortage of skilled labour, which will directly impact manufacturing efficiency in the ramp-up phase.
Beijing’s ‘Soft Pressure’ Strategy
Behind this exit, a silent but strategic policy of China is being considered. According to a Bloomberg report, Beijing has silently guided its regulatory agencies and local governments to restrict skilled labor and tech transfer to countries like India and Southeast Asia. That is, China is now not only restricting its manpower, but also controlling the export of technical know-how and special equipment.
All this is happening amid US-China trade tensions. Ever since America has imposed restrictions on Chinese companies, China wants its companies not to shift their manufacturing bases to India, Vietnam or other South Asian countries. That is why it is tightly controlling manpower and knowledge transfer.
Setback to Apple’s expansion plan
Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly said that the skills of Chinese assembly workers are unmatched. He brings not just cheap labor but also high-level technical expertise, which helps maintain Apple’s high standards.
Apple has been growing rapidly in India so far. In just 4 years, India is producing 20% of the world’s total iPhone production. Apple’s target was to make a major portion of US-bound iPhones in India by 2026. But now this timeline may get delayed due to the return of Chinese engineers.
This issue can have a direct impact on Apple’s long-term diversification strategy. Apple wanted to move away from China and expand its manufacturing base in countries like India and Vietnam, but China’s policy could become a big roadblock in that path.
Geopolitical Tensions and Apple’s Dilemma
Apple is not just a tech company — it has become a part of geopolitics as well. Ex-US President Donald Trump had earlier criticized Apple’s offshore manufacturing and said that iPhones should be made in America. But due to high labor cost, this is not practical.
On the other hand, relations between India and China are also not very good. There have been tensions between the two countries since the Galwan valley incident, and now this move by China seems to be an extension of those tensions. Although diplomatic talks are going on, but in ground reality its effect is visible on industrial and manufacturing collaboration.
What next?
Foxconn’s new iPhone plant is under construction in Tamil Nadu, and it was going to become a major base for Apple. But lack of skilled manpower can cause problems in training and efficiency. Taiwan staff is available, but their number is limited, and they cannot replace Chinese technicians in every area.
For India this is both a challenge and an opportunity. If the government invests in developing a skilled electronics manufacturing labour force, India could become a long-term manufacturing hub for brands like Apple. But if this gap is not filled, Apple will again have to depend on China – a risk it does not want to take.
Conclusion
Foxconn’s Chinese engineers leaving India is not just an HR decision, but a geopolitical chess move. Its impact will not be limited to Apple – but can affect the entire electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Now it remains to be seen how Apple, Foxconn and the Indian government handle this situation. Will India be able to meet the shortage of skilled labour? Or will Apple have to revise its production goals?
Whatever it is, this is a testing phase for Apple – and also a golden chance for India.