Foxconn pulls Chinese staff from India iPhone plants, slowing Apple’s Expansion Plans

Foxconn Technology Group has withdrawn several hundred Chinese engineers and technicians from its iPhone manufacturing facilities in India, a move that may hinder Apple Inc.’s efforts to scale up production in the country, as per reports.

Also Read: Apple unveils iOS 26 with sleek redesign, smarter features and full device compatibility list

Over 300 Chinese employees stationed at Foxconn’s plants in southern India have returned home in recent weeks, with the decision reportedly initiated two months ago. Taiwanese support personnel have since stepped in to manage operations, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Foxconn’s Indian plant is the primary site for assembling iPhones in the country. Alongside Foxconn, Tata Group—through its control of Wistron Corp. and Pegatron Corp.'s Indian units—plays a significant role in Apple’s supply chain.

Neither Apple nor Foxconn has publicly commented on the personnel shift. However, earlier this year, Chinese authorities informally advised regulators and local bodies to discourage technology transfers and equipment exports to India and Southeast Asia, in what appears to be a strategic move to slow the outflow of manufacturing capacity.

The withdrawal of skilled Chinese staff is expected to delay the training of Indian workers and the localization of advanced production techniques, potentially increasing costs and impacting assembly line efficiency.

This development comes as Apple aims to move full-scale iPhone assembly for the U.S. market to India by as early as 2026. India currently accounts for roughly 15% of global iPhone production, with output nearing 40 million units annually.