Even though Apple CEO Tim Cook made a trip to India to make nice with officials there, in an effort to get them to cut the company a little slack and let them open a few retail stores, and sell some refurbished iPhones in the country, he’s batting .000.
The Indian government on Monday held a press conference to make sure the word got out that they will not allow Apple to sell refurbished devices in India. They had already rejected a request by the company to open retail stores in the region.
India’s minister of commerce and industry, Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters, “We are not in favor of any company selling used phones… however certified they may be.”
Sitharaman also decided to rub a bit more salt into the wound, by bringing up the retail store rejection, when she noted that while the government might have indicated it would waive the 30% local sourcing requirement for retail stores, the finance ministry “has taken a different position.” Sitharaman said she and the finance ministry will continue to consider the issue.
Apple head Tim Cook visited India last week, where he did the tourist thing, and also sat down for discussions with local officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, Apple announced it will open an iOS design and development center in the country, and that it has also launched a Maps development center in the town of Hyderabad.
