Apple is in India for next thousand years: Tim Cook

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) "I am looking at India holistically and we are here for the next thousand years," Apple CEO Tim Cook said on Friday, adding that he instantly feels like he belongs here in India.

In an interview given to the news channel NDTV, Cook said: "India is much more strategic. We are thinking about a really long innings in the country. We are here for next thousand years. We are not making the most but the best. We will never make a product that we are not proud of.”

"Apple has a bright future for retail in India. We will sell pre-owned phones with new warranty," he added.

When asked about China, Cook said: "India is different than China," adding that the announcement about Apps development facility in Bengaluru and Maps Development Centre in Hyderabad were just the beginning.

Speaking on the importance of 4G, he said that “you will see a reliable signal quality after 4G which is critical for India's progress”.

“We are planning to bring Apple Pay to India,” he added. Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service that lets users make payments through Apple devices.

"There is nothing like having customers telling neighbours you should buy Apple products. Word of mouth is the best marketing," Cook observed.

Earlier, Cook who arrived in New Delhi after watching an Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Kanpur on Thursday, began the Delhi leg of his four-day India visit with a call at his corporate office where he was greeted by Apple India employees.

Defying the scorching heat, Cook later on Friday afternoon visited an Apple store situated at DLF Galleria, Gurgaon.

"I went to one store in the morning and I was very happy what I had seen there," he told NDTV.

Cook watched the IPL match between Gujarat Lions and Kolkata Knight Riders at Kanpur on Thursday. He arrived at the Green Park stadium on the invitation of IPL chairman and Congress leader Rajeev Shukla.

The atmosphere at the IPL match, Cook said, was "exciting".

"It's tough to watch in this heat. But it's exciting to watch cricket," he told IPL's official broadcaster Sony Six channel during an interview at the ground.

Talking about his overall experience being in India, Cook said: "It's hugely important and the talent here is incredible. It's unbelievable being here."

Cook is slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this weekend.