India is preparing to restrict the import of laptops, tablets, and personal computers, with new regulations set to take effect in early 2025. The move is part of a broader strategy to boost local manufacturing and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign imports, particularly from China. India’s government wants global tech companies, including Apple, to expand their production within the country to meet domestic demand.
Encouraging Companies to Increase Local Production
India had proposed similar restrictions in 2023, but they were delayed due to pushback from major tech firms, including Apple. Now, the Indian government believes the industry has had enough time to adapt. As part of the plan, companies will need to reapply for licenses to import laptops and other devices. India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is working on a new system to oversee and authorize these imports, ensuring stricter enforcement of the new regulations.
Government Incentives and Quality Standards
India imports two-thirds of its IT hardware, with much of it coming from China. To address this, the government has introduced $2 billion in subsidies to encourage local manufacturing. In addition, India plans to establish minimum quality standards for imported devices, which could help limit the influx of low-cost, lower-quality products.
Companies like Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo have already begun ramping up production within India. Local firms such as Dixon Technologies aim to meet a significant portion of domestic demand by producing IT hardware locally.
Looking Ahead
The government’s push to increase local production is likely to face resistance from the industry, but India remains committed to the plan. By encouraging global companies to invest in local manufacturing, India hopes to create a more self-reliant technology sector.
