Apple CEO Tim Cook likely to meet PM Modi ahead of New Delhi store launch: Report

By Team Newsable | First Published Apr 18, 2023, 10:39 AM IST

Apple's chief executive Tim Cook is likely to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. He will also reportedly welcome customers to the iPhone maker's first store in Mumbai. The trip underscores Apple's growing ambitions for India - the world's second-largest smartphone market.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook will meet India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its deputy IT minister as part of his visit to inaugurate the iPhone maker's first retail store in the country this week, according to various media reports.

Cook's visit this week to open the first official company-owned stores in Mumbai and New Delhi underscores Apple's growing ambitions for India, where, despite having only a 3% market share, the company has been expanding iPhone assembly through contract manufacturers and increasing exports.

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Cook will meet Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday, according to two sources, one of whom is an Indian government official. According to one of the sources, the Apple CEO will also meet with India's deputy IT minister, Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Also Read | ‘Hello, Mumbai’: Tim Cook ‘can’t wait’ to welcome customers to Apple BKC today

The sources did not specify, but Cook's discussions came at a time when Apple is increasing its attention on India, the world's second-largest smartphone market.

According to figures from the India Cellular and Electronics Association, almost USD 9 billion in smartphones were shipped from India between April 2022 and February this year, with iPhones accounting for more than half of it.

On Monday, Apple launched its first shop in Mumbai, but only for a private event attended by bloggers and a few tech analysts. It will be available to the public on Tuesday, with a second store opening in a New Delhi mall on Thursday. Apple has previously marketed its goods in India through resellers or e-commerce platforms such as Amazon.

Also Read | Apple BKC store to open on April 18; Check location, timings & other details

The Mumbai shop is located in the prestigious Reliance Jio World Drive mall, which also houses premium apparel and jewellery brands like as Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Swarovski. According to local registration paperwork, it is 20,800 square feet in size, significantly larger than the proposed Delhi location.

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