CEO of Huawei India, Jay Chen, has reportedly identified the Indian market as one with a potential for massive growth. The company's launch of the Honor 9i there may be identified as an attempt to gain a strategic stronghold in that market.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Huawei-to-focus-on-Indian-market-in-bid-to-topple-Samsung-and-Apple.257616.0.html