The three largest manufacturers have applied for rights to large-scale manufacturing of Apple and Samsung electronics in India as part of a $ 6.5 billion government stimulus program, AP reported referring to the Indian IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The international smartphone companies that have submitted bids under the scheme are Samsung, Rising Star, and three Apple contract manufacturers — Foxconn Hon Hai, Wistron and Pegatron, the minister noted.

The minister added that about 20 Indian and international mobile phone companies have applied for the program. The winners of the program are expected to create 300,000 jobs in the country.