Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is in India this week to open its first physical stores in the country, marking a milestone for the iPhone maker in the world’s second largest smartphone market, CNN reported.
Cook was seen personally welcoming customers as employees cheered and clapped at the company’s new outlet in Mumbai, which opened Tuesday. He is widely expected to appear at a second store opening in Delhi on Thursday.
The move comes as the world’s most valuable company continues to pivot to India, eyeing its potential as both a consumer market and manufacturing base.
In a statement Monday, Cook pointed to Apple’s ongoing expansion in the country, saying its brick-and-mortar launch coincided with its 25th year of operating there.
Apple’s increased activities in India are part of a broader trend of companies diversifying their manufacturing away from China.
In recent years, the south Asian nation has grown its share of global smartphone production significantly, from less than 10% in 2016 to almost a fifth projected this year, according to Counterpoint.