As Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was about to acquire a Chinese mobile phone company, Indian media reported that Apple had expressed opposition to TCS's acquisition of the Chinese mobile phone company. As a result, the Chinese mobile phone company may escape this fate and continue to control its Indian subsidiary.

It is reported that under the strong pressure of TCS, the Chinese mobile phone company had chosen to compromise, as TCS had significant local influence in India, and many Chinese mobile phone companies found it difficult to defy its demands. Therefore, the Chinese mobile phone company was prepared to hand over control of its Indian subsidiary to TCS.

However, recent reports in Indian media claimed that Apple had expressed opposition to the acquisition. Apple believed that if TCS acquired control of the Chinese mobile phone company's Indian operations, it would compete with Apple, raising concerns about outsourcing iPhone production to TCS.

Compared to the benefits that Apple could bring to TCS, acquiring the Chinese mobile phone brand would clearly be less lucrative. TCS has already been involved in Apple's retail operations in India, where most of Apple's retail stores are in partnership with local Indian conglomerates. By outsourcing iPhone production to TCS, TCS would gain involvement in both the manufacturing and outsourcing of iPhones, offering benefits far exceeding those of acquiring control of a Chinese mobile phone company.

In 2023, Apple generated revenue of $380 billion, with iPhones contributing approximately half of this total, or around $190 billion. India accounted for approximately 5% of iPhone sales, generating nearly $10 billion in revenue. The Chinese mobile phone company generated approximately RMB 40 billion in sales revenue in India, and TCS would also earn revenue from outsourcing iPhone production. Clearly, the benefits of working with Apple far outweigh any other options.

In recent years, Chinese mobile phone companies have faced considerable pressure in India, stemming from both the Indian authorities and local conglomerates. The Indian authorities have frequently imposed heavy fines on Chinese mobile phone companies, often exceeding RMB 1 billion, and have even confiscated deposits from one Chinese mobile phone company, leading to the saying that 'money made in India stays in India.'

The Chinese mobile phone company targeted for acquisition by TCS is one of the companies that has gained a competitive edge in the Indian mobile phone market. TCS aims to leverage its control over the Indian subsidiary to expand its presence in the Indian mobile phone market and potentially launch its own brand in the future.

TCS has always been ambitious and aggressive. In the past, TCS acquired the Indian factory of contract manufacturer Wistron, causing Wistron to almost withdraw from the iPhone outsourcing market. Currently, TCS's acquisition of Pegatron's Indian factory is also underway, indicating TCS's intention to make a big splash in the mobile phone market, albeit with questionable tactics.

Apart from TCS, other Indian conglomerates are also interested in the mobile phone industry. Another Chinese mobile phone company has been forced to transfer its outsourcing orders to a local Indian contract manufacturer, leaving only about 40% of its orders with Foxconn India. This has led to rumors of Foxconn India significantly reducing its capacity for this Chinese mobile phone company, with many employees leaving the company. Foxconn India is also exploring the possibility of outsourcing television production to offset the impact of reduced orders from this Chinese mobile phone company.

While Apple's move was undoubtedly motivated by its own interests, it inadvertently protected the Chinese mobile phone company from losing control of its Indian subsidiary. This may not have been Apple's intended outcome, but it underscores the greed of Indian conglomerates, who seem determined to swallow everything in sight, much like a mythical chimeric beast.