In a significant setback for India’s technology industry, Apple supplier Foxconn has made a startling decision to withdraw from a momentous $19.5 billion agreement with Indian mining giant Vedanta. The deal was aimed at establishing a state-of-the-art chip making plant in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The sudden abandonment of the project, less than a year after its announcement, has sent ripples of concern among analysts, questioning the nation’s ambitious goals in the technology sector. However, a government minister has reassured the public, asserting that this development will not impede India’s chip manufacturing aspirations.

Foxconn, headquartered in Taiwan, stated that “the project was not moving fast enough,” leading to a mutual agreement with Vedanta to terminate their collaboration. The company cited challenging obstacles and external factors unrelated to the project as key impediments that were difficult to overcome smoothly.

In an earlier statement to the BBC, Foxconn expressed its continued support for the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative, reaffirming its commitment to the country’s manufacturing endeavors. Meanwhile, Vedanta has assumed complete ownership of the venture following Foxconn’s withdrawal.

The abrupt exit of Foxconn, a prominent supplier to Apple, from the groundbreaking chip plant deal has dealt a blow to India’s technology landscape. As the country strives to enhance its position in the global tech arena, it must address the underlying issues that hinder successful collaborations, ensuring a more favorable environment for future investments and partnerships.