India's decision to keep Chinese telecom companies out of the 5G trials has been hailed by well-known US lawmakers.
In a statement on Wednesday, McCaul, China Task Force Chairman and House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican said: "India's decision to exclude Huawei and ZTE from its 5G trials is good news for the people of India and the world".
He added: "People's Republic of China law requires any Chinese company – including Huawei and ZTE – to work for the Chinese Communist Party if asked. It's a risk that can't be mitigated unless these companies are excluded from our networks, and I'm glad that India has recognized this threat. India has once again proven why it is a global leader in the fight against security threats posed by CCP-controlled technology".
Indian news agency PTI reports that Congressman Mike Waltz too thanked India for its decision. "Thank you to India for denying the inclusion of CCP-run Huawei in their telecommunications," he said.
The US congressmen's remarks follow a decision by the Indian Telecom Ministry on Tuesday, which permitted Indian, and a few foreign, telecom service providers, sans Huawei, to conduct a six-month trial for the use and application of 5G technology in India. This includes a time period of two months for procurement and setting up of equipment.
Telecom operators given permission include Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea and MTNL. The ministry said that these companies will work with original equipment manufacturers and tech-providers Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung and C-Dot. The ministry also gave the nod to Reliance Jio for conducting trials of its indigenous 5G technology.
There has been a global blowback to China's aggressive policies with neighbours and its wolf warrior diplomacy. The Donald Trump administration remained persistent in convincing allies to not allow Chinese tech companies into their countries. Many European countries have banned Chinese companies owing to fears of cyber-spying as well as theft of intellectual property.
On the other hand, China on Wednesday criticised India's decision for keeping its telecom firms out of trials. Chinese embassy spokesperson Wang Xiaojian expressed “concern and regret that Chinese telecommunications companies have not been permitted to conduct 5G trials with Indian telecom service providers”.
The spokesperson also called on India to “do more to enhance mutual trust” between the two sides.
India's decision to keep Chinese companies away is not just based on American pressure. India has been reducing trade and keeping Chinese products and services out of the country as China continues the border stand-off in eastern Ladakh.
Last year even as the coronavirus spread from Wuhan was forcing countries, including India, to go into a strict lockdown, the Chinese PLA took the opportunity to encroach upon Indian territory. Chinese soldiers also assaulted Indian troops in June 2020 when the latter asked them to vacate Indian territory resulting in dozens of
casualties on both sides. This was the first time in decades that there were casualties on the India-China border in decades.
India has made it clear to Beijing that unless it de-escalates at the border and vacates Indian territory, relations will not be as usual, particularly trade and economic ties. China has, however, not pulled back its troops from the border except from the Pangong Lake where it was in a disadvantageous position.
