New Delhi, Dec. 18 -- Apple's India story may be entering a more consequential phase-one that moves beyond assembling devices to shaping what goes inside them.

As first reported by The Economic Times, Apple is in early discussions with Indian chip manufacturer CG Semi to assemble and package select iPhone components in the country. While the conversations are still preliminary, the development points to a potential step-up in India's role within Apple's global supply chain.

According to the ET report, CG Semi, part of the Murugappa Group, is setting up an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat. Sources cited in the report said this is the first time Apple is considering assembling and packaging cer...