Can Apple make it in India

The world’s most valuable company wants to set up operations in India.

Representatives from Apple will meet with officials in New Delhi on Wednesday to explore a deal that could see it invest billions in the subcontinent. But Apple’s investment won’t come cheap. The company is reportedly asking for a 15-year tax reduction on the import of components and equipment.

For his part, PM Narendra Modi has pushed hard to attract large multinationals to move their manufacturing hubs to India, rolling out the “Make in India” campaign in 2014. But whether Mr Modi is willing to grant the concessions Apple is asking for is highly questionable – New Delhi has resisted doing so in the past and won’t want to set a precedent that it will be expected to follow in the future.