“Apple Inc. Chief Executive Tim Cook met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi Saturday, the most high-profile engagement yet on Mr. Cook’s dayslong charm offensive in a crucial but challenging market for the company’s growth,” Newley Purnell and Rajesh Roy report for The Wall Street Journal.
“Mr. Cook shared Apple’s plans in India with Mr. Modi and the pair spoke about manufacturing and retailing in the country, a government statement said. Mr. Modi in turn explained his Digital India initiative and sought support from the company in furthering the objectives of the program, which aims to connect hundreds of millions of villagers to the Internet,” Purnell and Roy report. “A senior government official who declined to be named said that Mr. Cook was asked to explore the possibility of setting up a local manufacturing unit in India to meet the growing demand for its products.”
Thank you @tim_cook! Friends, welcome & happy volunteering. Your views & efforts are always enriching. pic.twitter.com/aAu4isv6wM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2016
Thanks PM @narendramodi for a great meeting. Already looking forward to next visit to India. Best wishes on the app! https://t.co/ctXiKoCiS0
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) May 21, 2016
“Analysts said Mr. Cook is likely to advocate for Apple’s existing proposal to refurbish and sell secondhand iPhones in the country, which would be key given 70% of smartphones sold last year in India cost less than $150,” Purnell and Roy report. “In addition, Apple in January said it had sought government permission to open its own retail stores and sell products online to supplement Indian-owned distribution firms and retailers.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Wonder if Tim enjoyed the crazy hot temperatures?
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