In a move that has piqued curiosity in the tech world, Google is in talks to manufacture its Pixel smartphones in India. This development comes on the heels of a meeting between Indian IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Google parent Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai at Google’s California headquarters.
Google’s decision is influenced by the production-linked incentives (PLI) that India is offering to international tech giants to manufacture smartphones in the country. This move could significantly diversify Google’s production portfolio, which has been largely centered in China. Notably, Apple is also planning to shift 18% of its global iPhone production to India by 2025.
Reports suggest that Google is already in discussions with Foxconn Technology Group’s Indian unit, Bharat FIH, as well as domestic manufacturers like Lava International and Dixon Technologies India. Key Google representatives, including Ana Corrales, the operating chief of its consumer hardware arm, and Maggie Wei, a senior director of global sustaining product operations, have visited India recently to initiate talks.
While these discussions are still in the initial stages, Google’s interest in India is not new. The tech giant has been introducing exclusive Maps features for Indian audiences in multiple regional languages and has collaborated with Reliance Jio to offer a tailor-made Android OS for Jio smartphones.
Despite this, Google’s hardware often lags in reaching India. The company skipped launching its flagship Pixel 5 and 6 series, though it introduced the Pixel 7 series last year. Google’s latest hardware, including the Pixel Fold, Pixel Watch, and Pixel Tablet, remains unavailable in India. However, the company has been ramping up efforts to bring smartphones to the Indian market, as evidenced by the recent introduction of the Pixel 7a.
India’s aggressive push for the Made-in-India initiative has already compelled Chinese smartphone players to set up factories in different Indian cities. Samsung also manufactures smartphones in India and boasts the world’s largest mobile factory in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Mobile phone exports saw a growth of 128% in April-May this year, driven by iPhone exports.
In related news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk to discuss the possibilities of bringing Tesla’s high-end electric cars to India and launching satellite internet connectivity via Starlink Satellites in the country.
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