Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple, visited India this week to open the company’s first two Apple stores in the world’s most populous country.
The company announced a major expansion with the opening of its first Apple Store locations (Mumbai and Delhi) in the country where Apple has been operating for more than 25 years.
Tim Cook was seen personally welcoming customers as employees cheered and fans took selfies with him.
“India has such a beautiful culture and an incredible energy,” Cook said. “We’re excited to build on our long-standing history — supporting our customers, investing in local communities, and working together to build a better future.”
Apple CEO presented an original Macintosh
At the Mumbai store opening, Cook was immensely surprised when a local UX designer named Sajid arrived with a rare Macintosh SE from 1987. “I am very happy and proud that Apple is opening a store here finally. It is a big moment for Apple users in India and we can look forward to coming to this store and exploring all the latest Apple products” he told local media.
First Apple store in India
Apple’s newest store in India sets a new standard for sustainability, featuring innovative energy-saving technologies and a solar array that ensure it runs on 100% renewable energy. It is designed to be one of the most energy-efficient Apple Store locations in the world.
The store offers surrounding display tables and avenues featuring the latest iPhone, Mac, iPad, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple TV lineups, as well as accessories like AirTag.
Apple to boost investments in India
Apple is the world’s second biggest smartphone maker, behind Samsung, but its 6% share of the Indian market remains small.
Apple plans to expand its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone markets as the U.S. tech giant is moving its manufacturing diversification away from China amid geopolitical and trade tensions between Beijing and Washington.
Apple CEO Tim Cook also met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pledging to invest further in the fast-growing economy. An Indian minister said that Apple could double or triple investments in India, along with exports, over the next few years.
“From education and developers to manufacturing and the environment, we’re committed to growing and investing across the country,” Cook wrote on Twitter following the meeting.
Modi said that the two had exchanged views on a range of topics, including “the tech-powered transformations taking place in India.”
During his recent visit to India, Tim Cook met with government officials, business leaders, Bollywood actors, and developers, discussing a range of topics to expanding Apple’s presence in the country and leveraging its potential as a key growth market.