Apple is reportedly in negotiations with Pune-based Bharat Forge, part of the Kalyani Group, to add it to its growing lineup of Indian vendors. The deal, still in discussion, would task Bharat Forge with manufacturing mechanical components for iPhones—an expansion of Apple’s push to diversify sourcing beyond China.
If finalized, Bharat Forge will join a roster of local suppliers that includes Tata Group, Motherson, Aequs, Sunwoda, Foxlink, and Amperex—companies currently producing battery packs, cables, enclosures, and more. This milestone follows Apple’s ramp-up of local value addition in India, which has surged from 5–8% in 2020 to nearly 20% in 2024, with FY 2024 iPhone output reaching $17.5 billion and exports hitting a record $12.8 billion.
This move underscores Apple’s strategy amid escalating U.S.–China trade tensions and tariff risks: build a resilient supply chain through “China‑plus‑one” diversification. India is central to that effort—with major investments underway, like Foxconn’s new $1.5 billion display assembly facility in Tamil Nadu, expected to create 14,000 jobs .
Apple also plans to increase iPhone production in India by roughly 10% this year, aiming to shift most U.S.-bound iPhones to Indian plants by 2026—a move that would more than double current volumes .
