Foxconn may set up first North India plant along Yamuna Expressway

Taiwanese electronics company Foxconn , which is also Apple’s biggest supplier, is considering buying 300 acres of land along the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, for a new facility, according to a report by The Economic Times.

This would be Foxconn’s first plant in North India. "This facility has the potential to be slightly bigger than its upcoming facility in Bengaluru, which is set to become the company's second largest globally," a person was quoted as saying in the ET report. It is still not confirmed what products will be made at this plant, and the company is in discussions with the government.

Foxconn and Apple are looking to develop their supply chains in India to avoid tariffs on Chinese imports.

Talks between Foxconn and the government are still at an early stage, the report said. Details about what the factory will produce have not been decided yet.

Analysts mentioned in the report said that growing its business in India could give Foxconn more stability and allow it to tap into new electronics manufacturing opportunities.

The land being looked at is part of the area managed by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA). This is also the area where a HCL-Foxconn joint project already has 50 acres for a semiconductor assembly and testing facility. That project is still waiting for government approval.

"The Indian government proposed 300 acres for a Foxconn Industrial Park project last year. Discussions are at an early stage and there are no plans regarding any specific products or customers yet," another person was quoted as saying by the ET.

This plan is part of Foxconn’s effort to grow and spread out its manufacturing in India . The company already has plants in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana. It recently closed its plant in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh.

The plan comes at a time when global supply chains are shifting. The United States has placed import tariffs ranging from 10 to 50 per cent. China faces a 145 per cent tariff. A 90-day pause in tariffs has been announced for other countries. India faces a 26 per cent tariff on its exports.