Apple has pulled out its software development and support operations in India, and the only reason offered by its spokesperson was that the company has "re-evaluated our plans and have decided to put our planned support centre growth in other countries." The "re-evaluation" may have seen that doing business in India may be more costly than Apple first projected.

According to a source familiar to the situation says, "India isn't as inexpensive as it used to be. The turnover is high, and the competition for good people is strong." Apple feels it "can do [such work] more efficiently elsewhere."

Although India has a growing economy, many are questioning the sustainability of this economy. Even as India grew 9.3% last quarter and remains home to the world's largest and fastest-growing offshore outsourcing sector, its Sensex has dropped 20% in the past month. Other problems posed by the Indian economy is rising wages. According to India's software industry association McKinsey and Nasscom, entry-level pay at tech and outstanding companies climbed by as much as 13% annually from 2004 to 2005, with mid-level managers' pay jumping 30% a year during the same period.

So although India has a special place in Steve Jobs' heart - proven by his choosing the country as the place for his search of spiritual enlightenment back in the 70s - running a $14B enterprise will still be his topmost priority.