Apple today announced that it will set up an App design and development centre in Bengaluru to support developers in India creating innovative mobile apps for its iOS platform.

The announcement comes as part of high profile visit of Apple CEO Tim Cook to India. He arrived in India on Tuesday night and will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other officials as part of his trip.

The centre is expected to open in early 2017.

“The company will establish a design and development accelerator in Bengaluru, the home of India's startup scene. Tens of thousands of developers in India make apps for iOS (foundation for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch). This initiative will provide additional, specialised support for them,” said Apple in a statement issued today.

Apple's team will work with developers on best practices, help them hone their skills and transform the design, quality and performance of their apps on the iOS platform, it added.