China Voices Concerns Over India’s 5G Trial Exclusion

The Chinese government has conveyed its apprehension regarding India’s decision to exclude Chinese firms from participating in 5G technology trials within the Indian market. This development occurs as the two nations continue to navigate complex geopolitical and commercial relationships.

India Approves 5G Trials, Excluding Chinese Companies

India’s Department of Telecommunications recently authorized over a dozen companies to undertake a six-month trial period for testing 5G technology applications nationwide.

The approved list includes prominent international technology providers like Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung. These companies will be working in conjunction with major Indian telecom operators, including Jio Platforms, Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and MTNL, during the trial phase.

Notably, companies such as Huawei and ZTE, alongside other Chinese firms with established operations in India, were not granted permission to participate in these upcoming trials. The Indian ministry clarified that approvals were extended only to firms selected by the participating telecom operators.

Chinese Embassy Expresses Disappointment

Wang Xiaojian, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, released a statement on Wednesday articulating the nation’s “concern and regret” over the exclusion of Chinese telecommunications companies from the 5G trials.

Xiaojian emphasized that these Chinese companies have been operating in India for a considerable period, generating employment opportunities and contributing to the development of India’s telecommunications infrastructure.

He further stated that preventing their participation would not only infringe upon their legitimate rights and interests but also potentially impede improvements to the Indian business climate, ultimately hindering innovation and growth within related Indian industries.

Past Statements and Geopolitical Context

Last year, Sunil Mittal, founder of Airtel, publicly acknowledged the technological prowess of Huawei. He stated that Huawei’s products, particularly in 3G and 4G technologies, were demonstrably superior to those of Ericsson and Nokia.

However, during the same discussion, Wilbur Ross, then U.S. commerce secretary, encouraged India and other U.S. allies to avoid utilizing Huawei’s technology.

Escalating geopolitical tensions between India and China, stemming from border skirmishes last year, have led to increased scrutiny of Chinese investments and applications. India amended its investment rules and subsequently banned over 200 applications, including TikTok, UC Browser, and PUBG Mobile, citing national security concerns.

Global Alignment and Future Outlook

India’s recent decision aligns with similar actions taken by the U.S., U.K., and Australia, all of which have voiced concerns regarding Huawei and ZTE and their potential connections to the Chinese government.

Xiaojian concluded by expressing hope that India would work towards fostering greater mutual trust and cooperation. He advocated for an open, equitable, and non-discriminatory business environment for all market participants, including those from China, seeking to operate and invest within India.

Previously, China had voiced “serious concerns” and strong opposition to India’s claims regarding national security risks posed by Chinese applications. The Chinese Embassy asserted that the app bans constituted “discriminatory practices” that were in violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations.