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Tim Cook keen to make in India

Last Updated 21 May 2016, 20:52 IST
Expressing interest in manufacturing in India, Apple CEO Tim Cook on Saturday discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the immense potential of application development in the country.

Issues regarding cyber­security and data encryption also came up for discussion with the prime minister encouraging Cook to help the global community cope with the challenges of cybercrime.

“Cook shared Apple Inc’s future plans for India. He spoke of the possibilities of manufacturing and retailing in India. He appreciated the breadth of young talent in India and said the youth have significant skills which Apple would like to tap,” an official statement from the PMO said.

The head of US-based Apple Inc, which makes iPhones and Mac computers, has already announced during this trip the setting up of an app development centre in Bengaluru and one for Maps in Hyderabad.

During his meeting with Modi, Cook highlighted the immense potential for app development in the country. He also launched an updated version of the prime minister’s mobile app at the meeting.

During the nearly one-hour meeting, the PM explained his Digital India initiative, and identified three key objectives of Digital India as e-education, health and increasing farmers’ incomes. The PM also sought support from Apple in furthering these objectives, said the statement.

The PM, appreciating Cook, said that in India, ‘seeing is believing’ and added that these experiences would definitely steer Cook’s business decisions.

Cook also appreciated the prime minister’s initiatives on ease of doing business and renewable energy, the statement said. Cupertino-based Apple runs on 93% renewable energy and Cook spoke of plans to move Apple's entire supply chain to renewable energy.

Though the company has been pushing the Indian government to allow it to import refurbished phones in the country, the government is not keen on the proposal.

“The government wants Apple to set up its plant in India. Every aspect has been discussed with the company and it is now up to them to decide,” a senior official told Deccan Herald.

In an interview with a news channel on Friday, Cook said Apple plans to import second-hand phones and refurbish them at a facility in India. However, it is not clear whether Cook raised this issue with the PM or not.

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(Published 21 May 2016, 20:52 IST)

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