In early November Patently Apple posted a report titled "The Politics over Opening an iPhone Plant in India Takes another Twist as Apple Seeks Government Incentives up Front." On December 20 the WSJ basically covered the same news. Today the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has followed-up on their report with newer information.

According to a new WSJ report, "Indian government officials will likely meet early next week to evaluate the incentives sought by Apple Inc. to manufacture its products in the country, two people familiar with the matter said.

Senior officials from the Ministries of Trade, Finance, Electronics and Information Technology, Forests and Environment are expected to participate in the meeting, one of the people said.

The Indian government has incentives to promote local manufacturing under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign, and it remains to be seen whether they would agree to more concessions for Apple.

The country has a program that provides capital subsidies for companies manufacturing electronics in India. Another program provides subsidies for investments in special economic zones and allows tax-free imports of some components used to make mobile handsets.

"The government will have to see if it can tweak its rules for one company, though we want it to produce in India," a government official said. For more on this read the full WSJ report here.

Perhaps Apple should just be blunt and make the Indians around the negotiations table, one at a time, yell and repeat the line: Show me the Money! Okay, maybe not ... it was just an idea. 

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