Back in 2014 we posted a report titled "Apple Blocked by the Indian Government to Open Apple Stores." Then in early 2015 we reported that Foxconn was rumored to be opening an iPhone plant in India, a move that could help open the door for Apple being allowed to open their own retails stores in that country. Apple's CEO Tim Cook met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in San Jose California in late September 2015 where they reportedly talked about Apple manufacturing in India, Apple Pay and more. Today, India's Economic Times is reporting that Apple is once again filing an application with department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) for permission to open their own Apple Stores in India.

Confirming the development, DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant said, "We have just received Apple's proposal. We are examining it."

Apple's move stems from the government's liberalization of foreign direct investment rules on single-brand retail in November, which included relaxing mandatory local procurement condition for high-tech companies which we covered in previous reports. It's clear that Cook's meeting with India's Prime Minister in September opened the door for the changes made in November by the Indian Government.

As we noted last September, "India Could be Apple's Next Mass Market."

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Comments are reviewed daily from 4am to 6pm PST and sporadically over the weekend.