According to a new report this afternoon, we're learning that Apple is reshuffling management of its international businesses to put a bigger focus on India, a clear sign of the nation’s growing importance to the iPhone maker.

Bloomberg reports that "The shift will mark the first time that India becomes its own sales region at Apple, which has seen demand surge in the country. That will give the Asian nation increased prominence inside the tech giant, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the move hasn’t been announced.

Apple is making the change after its vice president in charge of India, the Middle East, Mediterranean, East Europe and Africa — Hugues Asseman — recently retired. With his departure, the iPhone maker is promoting its head of India, who reported to Asseman. That executive, Ashish Chowdhary [who has been the Managing Director of Apple India for over 4 years, according to his LinkedIn Profile], will now report directly to Michael Fenger, Apple’s head of product sales.

The company posted record revenue in India last quarter, even as its total sales slipped 5%. Apple has created an online store to serve the region and is planning to open its first retail outlets in the country later this year. On the last earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said the company is putting “a lot of emphasis on the market” and compared the current state of its work in India to its early years in China."

Further, CEO Tim Cook noted the company saw double-digit growth in India and that India was a hugely exciting market for Apple. In fact, Cook confirmed that Apple will soon be opening a flagship store in India. In early January, Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple has started Hiring Retail Store Workers for Flagship Stores coming to New Delhi and Mumbai in 2023.