BSNL, MTNL ordered to stop sourcing 4G equipment from China post Ladakh standoff

Amid the calls for boycotting Chinese products, India’s Telecom Ministry has directed all of the entities to restrict their purchases from China.

Sources said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and MTNL to exclude Chinese gearmakers from supplying 4G telecom equipment. Private telecom operators have also been asked to avoid Chinese equipment. As per the latest inputs, the government service providers have been directed to change and rework terms and conditions in such a manner that Chinese corporate firms are unable to take part in the tender process.

It is to be noted here that Indian telecom is one of the top profit-making sectors for China, and the move by the Indian government will undoubtedly come as an economic setback. This development comes in the wake of Monday’s violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in which 20 Indian soldiers were martyred. The violent aggression by the communist country has also resulted in nationwide protests against the Chinese products in India.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has also released a list of more than 500 ‘Made in China’ products which include fast-moving consumer goods, toys, textiles, footwear, apparel, kitchen items, and others, to be boycotted.