United States sees significant increase in smartphone imports from India, with electronics industry witnessing a boom: Ashwini Vaishnaw
India has made a significant leap in the global smartphone market, surpassing China to become the top supplier of smartphones to the United States in Q2 2025. This shift, marked by a surge in India's share of US smartphone imports, is a testament to the country's rapid growth in electronics manufacturing and exports.
According to official data, India's share of US smartphone imports jumped from 13% in Q2 2024 to a staggering 44% in Q2 2025. China, on the other hand, saw its share drop from 61% to 25% in the same period.
Several key factors have contributed to this rapid growth:
- Apple's "China Plus One" strategy: Apple accelerated the expansion of its iPhone production in India, diversifying its supply chain and mitigating risks amid ongoing US-China trade tensions and tariff uncertainties. The company assembled various iPhone models, including some Pro models of the iPhone 16 series, in India for the US market.
- Diversification and geopolitical factors: Trade tensions between the US and China, along with uncertainty about tariffs, prompted many manufacturers to relocate or diversify production sites, benefiting India.
- Growth of Indian manufacturing infrastructure: India’s electronics production has grown sixfold over the past 11 years, supported by a rise from just two mobile phone manufacturing units in 2014 to over 300 in 2025. Domestic production now accounts for over 99% of smartphones sold in India, up from 26% a decade ago.
- Contribution from multiple brands: Besides Apple, brands like Vivo, Samsung, OPPO, Motorola, and Realme have significantly expanded their manufacturing activities in India, boosting exports to the US market.
- Government policies and economic incentives: The growth aligns with government initiatives to boost electronics manufacturing and exports, fostering India's emergence as a global technology manufacturing hub.
The manufacturing value of mobile phones in India has surged from Rs 18,900 crore in FY14 to Rs 4,22,000 crore in FY24. Electronic exports from India have increased eightfold, reaching 3 lakh crore rupees. India is now the second-largest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world, with electronics manufacturing worth Rs 12 lakh crore.
On a separate note, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, recently flagged off three new Vande Bharat trains. The trains flagged off include the Ajni(Nagpur)-Pune Vande Bharat, KSR Bengaluru-Belgavi Vande Bharat, and the Shree Mata Vaishnodevi Katra-Amritsar. However, the article does not provide context about why these trains were flagged off or the significance of the event. With these additions, the total number of Vande Bharat trains in the country will rise to 150.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India has become the top supplier of smartphones to the United States, a significant achievement in the country's journey towards becoming a global technology powerhouse.
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- The surge in India's share of US smartphone imports, from 13% to 44%, indicates a significant shift in the global smartphone market, a trend mirrored by the country's rapid growth in technology and electronics manufacturing.
- Contribuitions from multiple brands, including Apple, Vivo, Samsung, OPPO, Motorola, Realme, and others, have played a crucial role in expanding India's smartphone exports to the US market, making it the top supplier in Q2 2025.
- The increase in electronics manufacturing and exports value reflects the success of government policies, economic incentives, and the growth of domestic production infrastructure in India, underscoring its path towards becoming a global technology powerhouse.
