Digital apps must abide by rules: MEA on banning of Chinese apps

Tribune News Release

New Delhi, September 3

India hit back strongly at a Chinese government statement that opposed the banning of mobile apps with Chinese content.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said while India had one of the world’s most open regimes for the FDI, they must abide by the government’s rules and regulations. He referred to a Ministry of Electronics and Information and Technology statement that said the apps were banned as “they are engaged in activities prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India and security of the state and public order”.

China’s Commerce Ministry said on Thursday that the action “strongly violates the legal interests of Chinese investors and services providers” while asking “India to correct its mistakes”.

Also read: Day after India bans PUBG, China voices strong opposition

The government had on Wednesday banned 118 mostly-Chinese mobile applications, including the popular PUBG, after a fresh round of border confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh. It had earlier banned 59 apps, including TikTok, after the Galwan Valley clash on June 15.