New Delhi – The Indian government has taken one more decision to deliver one more jolt to China on the economic front. The government has banned the import of Chinese equipment in the power sector, citing national security issues. Union Energy Minister RK Singh held a meeting with the State Energy Ministers through videoconferencing and informed the union government’s decision. Last year, India has imported power sector equipment worth ₹210 billion from China. But with this decision of the union government, this market is now closed for China. At the same time, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasised that India does not need China, responsible for the death of 20 Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley and its investments.
The union government ordered the government telecom companies not to buy any Chinese equipment. Railway and Metro Railway also cancelled all the contracts awarded to the Chinese companies. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said that decision has been taken to change the regulations to stop the Chinese investments in the highway projects and in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector. There are reports that the government has also stopped all the import of Chinese raw materials required for the defence equipment. At the same time, the government has taken a major decision to ban 59 Chinese apps. Now this decision to stop the import of power sector equipment.
Union Energy Minister announced that India would not be importing any equipment from China for the power sector. Many of the material used in transmission and distribution of power is imported. These include transmission towers, transformers, cables, meters and motors. Some of this equipment is operated with a remote. The use of artificial intelligence in the infrastructural facilities in this sector is increasing. This has increased the possibility of cyberattacks in this sector. The products imported from China could be preloaded with malware, raising the possibility of a cyberattack on the power distribution systems. Union Minister Singh said that the decision to ban Chinese equipment has been taken as such a cyberattack could cripple the communication and security systems.
India imported power sector equipment worth ₹710 billion during the financial year 2018-19. China had a share of ₹210 billion out of these. Singh clarified that imports are not necessary as everything can be made in India.
Meanwhile, Gadkari claimed that India did not need China and its investments, following the Galwan Valley incident and added that India would get finances from the entire world. He pointed out that no one in the world is willing to sign an agreement with China in the current scenario. Union Minister Gadkari expressed confidence that the Indian companies are competent. In these times of competition, Indian companies will have to increase production and quality. Gadkari further said that advanced technology would have to be adopted for this purpose.
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