On December 29 Patently Apple posted a report titled "Senior Indian Government Officials Reportedly meeting with Apple in the New Year to Discuss iPhone Plant Incentives." The report noted that Indian government officials were to meet to evaluate the incentives sought by Apple. to manufacture its products in the country. We stopped reporting on this story afterwards because of the whiny complaints coming out of the Indian government about Apple's requests.

Today Reuters is reporting that Apple put out a statement about their meeting with Indian officials about the prospects of opening an iPhone plant in India.

The statement read: "We've been working hard to develop our operations in India. We appreciate the constructive and open dialogue we've had with government about further expanding our local operations."

The Wall Street Journal adds that "A team of executives led by Priya Balasubramaniam, an Apple vice president, met with senior Indian government officials in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the firm’s proposals, the official said. “It’s almost a done deal,” said the official, who has direct knowledge of the matter.

“Many of the incentives sought by Apple are workable,” the official said.

Separately, a top bureaucrat who works closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government’s intention was to “settle with Apple.” The company is seeking a 15-year tax holiday on imports of components and equipment, the official said. 

Hopefully the two sides will finally agree on a package of incentives so that Apple could make a positive statement about Indian and the opportunities that lie ahead. This process has dragged on far too long.

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