India’s move comes after the deadly kick on the India-China border in June. This is the most serious clash in decades, making the Indian as well as the government move " boycotts "Chinese goods, causing economic harm to both Asian countries." Indian officials warn the economic damage caused by border tensions will worsen.
Building a "self-reliant India"
In addition to unusual security measures such as the public disclosure of long-range missile deployments and the re-armament of the Indian army in the border areas, some Indian analysts have also complained. Calling high tariffs on all goods imported from China and other restrictive measures.
The Indian Business Federation, which represents about 70 million local merchants and retailers, has launched a movement to boycott Chinese goods and prepared a list of 500 products that can be manufactured at local instead of buying from China.
Indian Minister of Justice and Social Empowerment Ramdas Athawale even demanded that restaurants sell Chinese food be banned, even though the proposal was not supported by public opinion.
India asked to check investment flows from China in April. The South Asian national government slowly approved all requests after the deadly scuffle. The Ministry of Commerce of India did not comment on this information.
Furthermore, in recent days, India has tightened supervision on imports and threatened the business plans of many Chinese companies.
The Indian Standards Agency (BIS) in recent weeks delayed the approval of mobile phone and TV components originating from China, "jeopardizing" the plans of companies like Xiaomi and Oppo, sources from the two countries on August 14 said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in recent weeks called for the construction of "a self-reliant India" and urged the industry to focus on boosting domestic production.
Of the 10 smartphones sold in India, eight are manufactured by Chinese companies, including Xiaomi and Oppo. Although the two companies assemble most of the models in India, Oppo and Xiaomi still have to import some parts from China.
Stop hiring Chinese tankers
According to Reuters, India forbids state-owned oil companies from hiring Chinese ships to transport oil when relations between the two countries are strained.
China owns the largest oil tankers in the world. Photo: SCMP
A source said that Chinese-owned and flagged vessels were banned from bidding for vehicle charter contracts to transport crude to India, or to export products such as diesel out of the country. .
Even so, India’s oil companies will not be affected much, as the majority of the foreign tankers they use or charter come from Liberia, Panama and Mauritius.
Two unnamed Indian oil executives said the information, adding that the Chinese ships are of limited use, mainly to transport liquefied petroleum gas.
However, the move is expected to continue to increase tensions between two of Asia’s biggest economies, following a serious clash in the disputed Himalayan border area in June, killing 20 Indian soldiers. China did not disclose casualties in the brawl.
Spending 500 million USD, calling on Maldives to "give up" China
On August 13, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told his Maldives counterpart Abdulla Shahid that New Delhi would support $ 500 million for a project to reduce China’s influence abroad.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Photo: Reuters
Specifically, New Delhi will support the project to connect the capital Male with a $ 100 million grant and a $ 400 million loan.
According to Reuters , the project will help connect the Male capital of the Maldives with three neighboring islands. The Maldives is considered an important location in China’s Belt and Road initiative. In particular, this will be the largest civil infrastructure project in the Maldives.
India competes for influence with China after the administration of Maldives President Ibrahim Solih took power in 2018. Solih defeated his pro-Chinese predecessor Abdulla Yameen in the election two years ago. .
Last year, Mr. Yameen was found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to five years in prison for handing many large-scale contracts to Chinese contractors, including the project to build the main bridge connecting Male to Hulhumale Island and the open project. Wide route to the country’s international airport.
