A purported fake letter being attributed to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Sivakumar created a massive furore in the political circles that saw him having a spat with the chief minister of neighbouring Telangana K Chandrashekar Rao.

It all started when the letter dated September 25 started circulating on social media on Sunday (Nov 4) asking the chairman of Foxconn Technology Group—one of the Apple products manufacturing partners—to relocate to Bengaluru from Hyderabad.

The letter said, “On behalf of our government, I propose that you consider relocating the Apple AirPods industry, which you plan to set up in Hyderabad, to&nbsp;Bangalore. This move holds numerous mutual benefits. Not only will it complement the Apple phone manufacturing industry, but it will also leverage the city’s transportation facilities, infrastructure, and available workforce. Being located in Bangalore will also enhance your international recognition.”

“Moreover, Bangalore, when compared to Hyderabad, is known for its safety and has a well-established IT industry with a history spanning 50 years. The city boasts superior logistics capabilities, especially when taking into account the past incidents of communal disturbances in Hyderabad, which pose a potential risk to your business,” it said.

“Furthermore, several international industries in Hyderabad have expressed interest in relocating to Bengaluru. We anticipate forming a friendly government in Telangana soon, assuring that you will encounter no hindrances there. Hence, it would be mutually beneficial for your ancillary industry to make the move as well,” said the letter.

<h2>Telangana's BRS slams Sivakumar&nbsp;</h2>

After the letter went viral, Telangana’s ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party accused the Karnataka government of a “huge conspiracy against Hyderabad”—a charge vehemently denied by Sivakumar.

The BRS alleged that the letters were written to many companies offering incentives to come to Bengaluru.

Later, personal secretary to Shivakumar, Rajendra Prasad M N, filed a complaint with the Vidhana Soudha police on Saturday.

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<h2>Sivakumar&nbsp;denies charge&nbsp;</h2>

Prasad claimed that the signature on the letter was forged and the letterhead on which it was written was also fake.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-blocks-22-illegal-betting-apps-and-websites-amidst-political-chaos-in-poll-bound-state-655729">India blocks 22 illegal betting apps and websites amidst political chaos in poll-bound state</a>

Shivakumar has, meanwhile, rubbished the charge claiming, “Someone has misused (signature). They have taken my electronic signature and put it on that (letter) requesting Foxconn to be shifted."

A purported fake letter being attributed to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Sivakumar created a massive furore in the political circles that saw him having a spat with the chief minister of neighbouring Telangana K Chandrashekar Rao.

A purported fake letter being attributed to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Sivakumar created a massive furore in the political circles that saw him having a spat with the chief minister of neighbouring Telangana K Chandrashekar Rao. It all started when the letter dated September 25 started circulating on social media on Sunday (Nov 4) asking the chairman of Foxconn Technology Group—one of the Apple products manufacturing partners—to relocate to Bengaluru from Hyderabad. The letter said, “On behalf of our government, I propose that you consider relocating the Apple AirPods industry, which you plan to set up in Hyderabad, to Bangalore. This move holds numerous mutual benefits. Not only will it complement the Apple phone manufacturing industry, but it will also leverage the city’s transportation facilities, infrastructure, and available workforce. Being located in Bangalore will also enhance your international recognition.” “Moreover, Bangalore, when compared to Hyderabad, is known for its safety and has a well-established IT industry with a history spanning 50 years. The city boasts superior logistics capabilities, especially when taking into account the past incidents of communal disturbances in Hyderabad, which pose a potential risk to your business,” it said. “Furthermore, several international industries in Hyderabad have expressed interest in relocating to Bengaluru. We anticipate forming a friendly government in Telangana soon, assuring that you will encounter no hindrances there. Hence, it would be mutually beneficial for your ancillary industry to make the move as well,” said the letter. Telangana's BRS slams Sivakumar After the letter went viral, Telangana’s ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party accused the Karnataka government of a “huge conspiracy against Hyderabad”—a charge vehemently denied by Sivakumar. The BRS alleged that the letters were written to many companies offering incentives to come to Bengaluru. Later, personal secretary to Shivakumar, Rajendra Prasad M N, filed a complaint with the Vidhana Soudha police on Saturday. Also read | Indian PM Modi talks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, discusses Israel-Hamas conflict Sivakumar denies charge Prasad claimed that the signature on the letter was forged and the letterhead on which it was written was also fake. Also read | India blocks 22 illegal betting apps and websites amidst political chaos in poll-bound state Shivakumar has, meanwhile, rubbished the charge claiming, “Someone has misused (signature). They have taken my electronic signature and put it on that (letter) requesting Foxconn to be shifted."

Karnataka and Telangana in war of words over fake letter asking Apple manufacturing partner to relocate

Apple is changing the way it runs its international businesses, which shows how important India is becoming in the world and how much the company is focusing on the country.

Apple is changing the way it runs its international businesses, which shows how important India is becoming in the world and how much the company is focusing on the country. This will be the first time that India becomes Apple's own sales region, which has seen demand surge, giving the Asian nation increased prominence inside the tech giant. The shift will result in India becoming its own sales region at Apple, according to a report. Media reports also say Apple is making the change after its vice president in charge of India, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, East Europe, and Africa - Hugues Asseman, recently retired. Since he is leaving, the company that makes the iPhone is promoting its head of India, who used to work for Asseman. The executive, Ashish Chowdhary, will now report directly to Michael Fenger, Apple’s head of product sales. Fenger and Doug Beck, both reporting to Apple CEO Tim Cook, are in charge of the company's international and domestic sales departments, respectively. Apple's organisational structure combines hierarchical elements with those based on functions and product lines. WATCH | Apple reshuffling management to give more focus on India × CEO Tim Cook made the company less rigid than it had been under Steve Jobs. Senior VPs of divisions and product managers no longer have to ask the CEO for permission before taking action. The development comes on the heels of news of record revenue registered by Apple in India last quarter, even as its total sales slipped five per cent. Apple has created an online store to serve the region and is planning to open its retail outlets in the country later this year. In 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. Read more: Apple to bring Chinese suppliers to boost production in India In addition to serving as a sales engine for Apple, India is also becoming more critical to the company’s product development. Key suppliers are moving to the region, and Apple is working with manufacturing partner Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn, to set up new iPhone production facilities in the country. The new management at Apple will change how the company is structured internally but won't change how the company reports regional sales in its publicly available financials. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Apple's management shake-up reflects its focus on India

A number of Chinese suppliers of Apple Inc. received initial clearance by Indian government to expand in the country, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The Chinese suppliers, however, will require to find local Indian joint venture partners as per manufacturing rules put in place by New Delhi. While India is reportedly approving multiple Chinese suppliers, many were rejected, the report said.

Apple submitted a list of about 17 suppliers to Indian authorities, and a few of them were turned down, at least one because of direct ties to the Chinese government, one of the people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

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The clearance by New Delhi for Chinese suppliers along with home-grown venture partners will help Apple to diversify its manufacturing base away from China.

Who all have received clearance?

AirPods and iPhone assembler Guangdong-based Luxshare Precision Industry Co. and a unit of Ningbo, China-based Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. are among the companies gaining approval, people familiar with the matter were quoted as saying by Bloomberg.&nbsp;

About 14 suppliers are receiving approval from India, after Apple named them as companies whose services it needs to increase its presence in India, Bloomberg further quoted the people as saying.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/apples-iphone-exports-from-india-surpass-25-billion-550917">Apple's iPhone exports from India surpass $2.5 billion</a>

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While the vast majority of Apple products are still assembled in China, the company has in recent years started making more of them in India through Taiwanese partners.

Apple and other US electronics brands are seeking to reduce their reliance on China after trade restrictions and Covid-related production disruptions exposed the risks of dependence on the country.&nbsp;

What does it mean?

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his second term has focused on growing India's manufacturing sector, providing Production Linked Incentives to mass manufacturers establishing their base in India.

Mumbai-based Tea to airplane conglomerate Tata Group, already provide Apple with parts, and India is pushing to add more local providers into the supply chain to boost and diversify its electronics industry.&nbsp;

India has cut off Chinese companies from its smartphone economy after violent clash between two countries' troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in northernmost India's eastern Ladakh in June 2020.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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A number of Chinese suppliers of Apple Inc. received initial clearance by Indian government to expand in the country, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

A number of Chinese suppliers of Apple Inc. received initial clearance by Indian government to expand in the country, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The Chinese suppliers, however, will require to find local Indian joint venture partners as per manufacturing rules put in place by New Delhi. While India is reportedly approving multiple Chinese suppliers, many were rejected, the report said. Apple submitted a list of about 17 suppliers to Indian authorities, and a few of them were turned down, at least one because of direct ties to the Chinese government, one of the people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. ALSO READ | India to get its first homegrown iPhone maker as Tata Group nears takeover The clearance by New Delhi for Chinese suppliers along with home-grown venture partners will help Apple to diversify its manufacturing base away from China. Who all have received clearance? AirPods and iPhone assembler Guangdong-based Luxshare Precision Industry Co. and a unit of Ningbo, China-based Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. are among the companies gaining approval, people familiar with the matter were quoted as saying by Bloomberg. About 14 suppliers are receiving approval from India, after Apple named them as companies whose services it needs to increase its presence in India, Bloomberg further quoted the people as saying. ALSO WATCH | Apple's iPhone exports from India surpass $2.5 billion × While the vast majority of Apple products are still assembled in China, the company has in recent years started making more of them in India through Taiwanese partners. Apple and other US electronics brands are seeking to reduce their reliance on China after trade restrictions and Covid-related production disruptions exposed the risks of dependence on the country. What does it mean? India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his second term has focused on growing India's manufacturing sector, providing Production Linked Incentives to mass manufacturers establishing their base in India. Mumbai-based Tea to airplane conglomerate Tata Group, already provide Apple with parts, and India is pushing to add more local providers into the supply chain to boost and diversify its electronics industry. India has cut off Chinese companies from its smartphone economy after violent clash between two countries' troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in northernmost India's eastern Ladakh in June 2020. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Apple to bring Chinese suppliers to boost production in India