It was a busy day for Apple CEO Tim Cook, who returned to India after seven years, as he conferred with Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran upon his arrival in the financial capital.
Among other prominent engagements, he had vada pav with Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit. In the evening, he visited the company’s first self-owned store at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC, which will open to the public on Tuesday) and interacted with the 100-person staff.
Tim Cook visited Mumbai to talk to Ambani and Chandra.
Cook last visited India in 2016 when Apple was just beginning to expand its operations in the country. On Tuesday, he begins his day early to open the store at Jio World Drive Mall at 11 a.m., with thousands of Apple fans expected to visit the location. This opening is regarded as the company’s most definitive retail drive in the country, as its business and size expand.
Apple’s BKC store was bustling even on Monday (and in the days prior), as numerous visitors were observed taking photographs and photos in the vicinity. Cook will inaugurate the second store at the Select City Mall (Saket) in Delhi on Thursday.
In Delhi, the Apple CEO will also encounter Prime Minister Narendra Modi, most likely on Wednesday, as well as other leaders including IT & electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Cook is expected to discuss the company’s expansion plans in India with the prime minister, both in terms of domestic sales and exports.
Isha and Akash Ambani visited Cook at his Antilia residence on Monday.
Cook met Ambani, Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani, and Reliance Retail director Isha Ambani at his residence in Antilia on Monday. Apple’s partnerships with Jio’s mobile phone services are believed to have been discussed, as well as partnerships with Reliance Retail.
Cook is believed to have discussed the expanding relationship between the company and India’s oldest and most diversified business group with Tata group chairman Chandrasekaran. Tata is currently in talks with Apple’s manufacturing partner Wistron to form a partnership, while also supplying Apple’s component supply chain with aluminum enclosures and other components.
During the evening meeting at the BKC store, Cook is believed to have emphasized the company’s business philosophy and customer service procedures while discussing the construction of the first retail location.
Cook is also meeting with Apple’s key stakeholders, which include third-party retail partners, manufacturing partners from the Taiwanese triumvirate of Foxconn, Wistron, and Pegatron, and other officials.
Cook had a special message for India the day before his visit, in which he lauded the country’s “incredible energy” and “beautiful culture” as Apple celebrates 25 years of operations in India.
