Following a visit to India by its chairman, Liu Young-way, major Apple supplier Foxconn said Saturday that it was looking to partner with India on new projects like computer chips and electric vehicles.

After seeing the production of its new-model iPhones and other devices disrupted by worker unrest over China’s strict Covid-19 lockdowns, and seeing tensions grow between Washington and Beijing, Apple has been shifting its production capacity away from China.

India’s trade minister has said that Apple wants India to handle as much as 25% of the company’s production, compared to the 5-7% it presently handles. Apple first began assembling iPhones in India in 2017 through Wistron Corp, and then Foxconn.

Foxconn, a Taiwanese company formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd, is the world’s largest contract electronics maker. It noted that Liu had been in India between February 27th and March 2nd.

In a statement, Liu said, “My trip this week supported Foxconn’s efforts to deepen partnerships, meet old friends and make new ones, and seek cooperation in new areas such as semiconductor development and electric vehicles.”

Foxconn is ambitiously looking to break into the Electric Vehicle sector, and is also looking to enter chip manufacture.

Liu added, “On the basis to share, collaborate and thrive together, Foxconn will continue to communicate with local governments to seek the most beneficial development opportunities for the company and all stakeholders.” 

No specific new investment plans were laid by Liu out for future projects in India, nor have any been discussed by Foxconn since his trip.

On Friday, the state government in the southern Indian state of Kamataka noted that 300 acres (120 hectares) have been set aside to set up a new factory for the assembly of Apple iPhones.

Presently, in India iPhones are assembled by three global suppliers for Apple – Foxconn, Pegatron in Tamil Nadu, and Wistron in Kamataka.