India will not allow Chinese companies to participate in highway projects, including those through joint ventures, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.
Gadakri also said the government will ensure that Chinese investors are not entertained in various sectors like Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“We will not give permission to joint ventures that have Chinese partners for road construction. We have taken a firm stand that if they (Chinese companies) come via joint venture in our country, we will not allow it,” Gadkari told PTI in an interview.
Gadkari also said that a policy will be out soon banning Chinese firms and relaxing norms for Indian companies to expand their eligibility criteria for participation in highway projects.
The minister said while foreign investment and joint ventures in MSMEs will be encouraged, the Chinese shall not be entertained. He described the move as a step toward achieving PM Modi’s vision of “self-reliant India” or Atmanirbhar Bharat.
In retaliation to the border standoff with China, India on Monday banned 59 apps, mostly Chinese, citing threats to national security.
Following the recent standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at the border, there has been a nationwide call for a ban on Chinese products altogether. While that might not be possible in its entirety, a new survey suggests just how much proportion of the Indian population is willing to give up Chinese goods.
A recent survey, conducted by LocalCircles, recorded 32,000 responses from citizens across 235 districts of India. For a particular question “Would you boycott buying Chinese products for next year?”, 8000 responses were noted. An overwhelming majority of them were “yes,” as 87% of the respondents were ready to stop buying Chinese goods for the next one year.
Citizens were asked if they would boycott buying/using products & services of Chinese companies including the likes of Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, One Plus, Club Factory, Aliexpress, Shein, Tik Tok, WeChat etc. effective immediately.
