HMD Global, the Finnish company behind Nokia-branded phones, is shifting its manufacturing focus from China to India. This move is part of their strategy to make India a central manufacturing hub and capitalize on the changing global trade landscape.

The company is actively encouraging component suppliers to set up operations in India to support its export ambitions. This shift is seen as a strategic response to the ongoing US-China trade tensions, with HMD aiming to benefit from potential tariff increases on Chinese goods.

HMD's CEO, Ravi Kunwar, confirmed the shift, stating that a significant portion of their operations, including supply chain, sourcing, and logistics, is being relocated from China to India. This change is expected to boost India's exports and strengthen the country's position as a global manufacturing hub.

A bulk of its operations previously in China are now being moved to India, and this helps to strengthen the company's export strategy, Kunwar said, adding that the proportion of products being exported from China is decreasing, while those shipped from India are increasing.

Kunwar further said that HMD has already moved significant manufacturing components, including critical supply chain teams, from China to India. He added that this shift aligns with the company's broader strategy to establish India as a competitive alternative for export manufacturing.