Tag: India-China border standoff

India to restrict power equipment import from China, Pakistan

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Amid India-China border tension, power minister RK Singh on Friday said that India needed to bring tariff barriers for imported power equipment, as it posed security threats to the power system in the country.

This comes on the back of restricting imports from China and increased focus on local sourcing in a bid to become self-reliant.

“We have decided not to buy any power equipment from china, we are going to release a list of prior reference countries which will include China and Pakistan. The government will not give any permission for imports from prior reference countries. Import from any other country will be inspected under stringent norms because the power system is a sensitive system,” said Singh.

“The power system is vulnerable to cyberattacks because of trojan and malware, this can lead to power shutdown, and then communication lines will be impacted and lead to a database crash,  manufacturing, defence industries, etc. Most of the equipment imported are made in India. I urge even states to not use power equipment which is made in China.”

India imported power equipment worth Rs 71,000 crore in FY19, and about Rs 21,000 crore worth equipment alone was imported from China.

And the restriction on equipment import does not stop at the power sector. The minister reiterated that India intended to bring 25 percent basic customs duty immediately on import of solar modules and cells and gradually increase it to 40 percent.

India has a target of 175 GW of renewable capacity by 2022, of which 100 GW target is for solar capacity.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Amidst India-China geopolitical tensions, Chinese mobile makers hold investments

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

With geopolitical tensions rising between China and India, Chinese mobile manufacturers are cautious about investing in India. Companies like Oppo and Vivo that were in the race to apply for the Indian government’s ambitious PLI (production-linked incentive) scheme have decided to hold their investments, for now, sources told CNBC-TV18. They confirmed that the companies have not yet registered for the scheme.

Global companies like Foxconn, Wistron, and domestic players like Dixon, Lava, and Karbonn have already registered for the scheme, said the sources. Dixon manufactures for Samsung, Xiaomi, Panasonic whereas Foxconn manufactures for Apple, Xiaomi, HMD global. Wistron manufactures smartphones for Apple.

“We are in a ‘wait and watch’ mode with respect to our investments in India. After the ban on Chinese apps, we are wary about committing to any scheme or investment until there is better clarity on the geopolitical situation between the two countries,” said a senior executive from one of the Chinese manufacturers.

“Due to the lockdown and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, sales and manufacturing were on hold for a long time. We are witnessing pent-up demand and addressing clearing inventory level to be able to drive sales volume amidst new launches lineup for the rest of the year,” added the executive.

Sources amongst trade associations representing the global mobile manufacturers added that Vivo was planning to invest Rs 7,500 crore in manufacturing in India in the coming years and Oppo was looking to aggressively expand its market cluster in Noida with a Rs 3,500 crore investment.

The Indian government’s Rs 50,000 crore PLI scheme was launched in June and primarily targets mobile manufacturers with Rs 40,000 crore dedicated to them.

The scheme aims to promote manufacturing of electronics in India. Under the scheme, companies will be required to make products in India to be exported in the global market. The companies will need to meet investments and produce incremental products (in this case phones) over and above FY20, which will be taken as the base year.

Investment and production targets increase over a three-year and a five-year period. Companies will have to register for the scheme in a multi-step process. PLIs are fixed at 6 percent for the 1st and 2nd year, 5 percent for the 3rd and 4th year, and 4 percent for the 5th year.

Companies can apply till July 31 and those selected will be announced by early August. In the first phase, five global and five local companies will be selected to avail of the scheme.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Govt starts clearing import consignments of Apple, Samsung, others

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

In a relief to companies like Dell, HP, Apple, Cisco and Samsung, the government has started clearing Chinese import consignments of these firms in Delhi and Chennai, sources told CNBC-TV18.

The companies had made a representation to the Centre, explaining the nature of imports and had agreed for more checks.

Sources earlier told CNBC-TV18 that top tier importers are being exempt from the 100 percent examination drive. Importers who qualify as AEO-T3, are eligible for these relaxations. Only 11 companies meet the AEO-T3 criteria, they said.

Importers and Exporters are classified as AEO-T1, AEO-T2 and AEO-T3, where T3 represents the highest level of compliance on legal, safety, and security parameters.

The Apple, Dell, HP and Cisco consignments were getting cleared in phases at various ports. Products of US companies like Apple, Cisco and Dell were caught up in the India-China border tensions as Chinese imports were held at Indian ports, reports said earlier. Customs officers had reportedly held back containers from China and sought additional clearance.

Apple has been looking to reduce its reliance on China and wants to export mobile handsets worth $40 billion from India in the next five years. Apple, like most other brands, does not manufacture its own handsets and instead, sources them from contract manufacturers.

Two of Apple’s Taiwanese contract manufacturers – Foxconn and Wistron – have already submitted their applications under the Production-Linked-Incentive (PLI) scheme.

However, South Korean giant, Samsung, which plans to manufacture and export handsets worth $20 billion from India in the next five years has yet to submit its PLI application. Given that Apple and Samsung control almost 35 percent of the world’s mobile handset market, their investments in India have the potential to change the mobile handset manufacturing landscape in the country.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Indo-China border tensions: With no clear disengagement, situation remains tense on both sides

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Indian and Chinese troops remain deployed in large numbers at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Ministry of External Affairs on June 25, a day after top leaders from both countries agreed to deescalate tensions. The foreign ministry’s statement indicates that the Indo-China border remains tense after the June 15 lethal clashes, despite India and China agreeing to implement disengagement during Corp Commander talks and diplomatic negotiations. However, there is no clarity on the terms of the disengagement or the timeline agreed upon between the neighbours.

For the first time, the Indian Foreign Ministry admitted that China’s troop build-up since early May had set alarm bells going. “At the heart of the matter is that since early May, the Chinese side has been amassing a large contingent of troops and armaments along the LAC. This is not in accordance with the provisions of our various bilateral agreements,” said Anurag Srivastava, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs.

The foreign ministry’s statement assumes importance amid reports about a 10,000 strong troop deployment on the Chinese side of the LAC. Media reports and experts have also spoken about satellite imagery that show China has re-erected a tent or post at the Galwan clash site. China had attempted to build a structure on the Indian side in Galwan valley, which had been demolished by Indian forces on June 15. Subsequently, Chinese troops violently attacked Indian forces and both sides suffered serious casualties in the clash. Reports also suggest that China has now opened another front in Depsang region, close to India’s Daulat Beg Oldi road. The MEA and the Army have neither confirmed nor denied fresh incursions by China in Galwan and Depsang.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that the Indian side has had to undertake counter deployments as China’s conduct has been in complete violation of all mutually agreed norms. “The deployment of a large body of troops and changes in behavior has also been aggravated by unjustified and untenable claims. The recent shift in the Chinese position on the Galwan Valley is one example,” Srivastava stressed.

India has asked China to sincerely follow up on the understanding reached between Corp Commanders and Foreign Ministers and ensure expeditious restoration of peace at the border. “A continuation of the current situation would only vitiate the atmosphere for the development of the relationship,” he added.

Gave interview to PTI on #GalwanValley Incident. Onus is not on #China. We are willing & able to properly manage differences. Mutual respect&support is sure way. Suspicion&friction is wrong path. Will jointly uphold peace&stability in border areas, ensure sound&steady relations.

— Sun Weidong (@China_Amb_India) June 25, 2020

On the other hand, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said that India and China are able to properly manage their differences, and called upon New Delhi to avoid taking action that may “complicate” the situation in eastern Ladakh. He went on to add that at present, the overall situation in the China-India border areas is “stable and controllable”.

“We hope the Indian side meets the Chinese side halfway, avoids taking actions that may complicate the border situation and takes concrete actions to maintain stability in the border areas,” he said.

The Indian and Chinese armies are locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for the last six weeks, and the tension escalated manifold after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash in Galwan Valley on June 15.

The Chinese ambassador said “mutual respect and support” is a sure way and meets the long-term interests of both countries, but at the same time, largely put the onus on India to ease tension in the region.
“China and India are both large developing countries and emerging economies with more than one billion people, and both have the historic mission of realising our own development and revitalisation,” he said.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

India-China clash in Ladakh: Maharashtra to maintain status quo on MoUs with Chinese firms

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

There will be status quo with regard to the MoUs, worth more than Rs 5,000 crore, the Maharashtra government had signed with three Chinese companies on June 15, Industries Minister Subhash Desai on Monday, a move that comes in the backdrop of the Ladakh clash.

Desai, however, clarified that the status quo does not mean cancellation of the MoUs relating to projects worth Rs 5,020 crore.

According to an official statement, Desai said the state government is awaiting clear policy decision regarding the projects in the present condition.

The relationship between India and China has come under severe strain following a violent face-off between the troops of the two countries in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, in which 20 Indian Army personnel were martyred.

The MoUs were signed last Monday under the Magnetic Maharashtra 2.0 investor summit, hours before the face-off took place.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Watch: UP kids marching towards “China border” to avenge loss of soldiers stopped by cops

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Even as anti-China sentiment gains momentum in India following the deadly border clashes, 10 kids from Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh took it too literally and decided to head towards China to fight and avenge the loss of Indian soldiers.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, a UP cop is seen stopping these 10 kids who were marching towards “China border”. When questioned by the police about where they were headed, the kids said that they wanted to take revenge and “teach China a lesson” for killing Indian troops.

The police officer counselled the kids and sent them home.

The anti-China sentiment across India has resulted in calls to boycott Chinese goods across the country with some authorities reportedly reconsidering upcoming projects with Chinese firms.

According to the Indian Army, violent clashes took place between Indian and Chinese troops on the intervening night of June 15 and June 16 during the de-escalation process in Galwan region of eastern Ladakh.

20 Indian soldiers have been killed in the clashes with China, the first such deadly fight at the border in at least 45 years.

Beijing on Friday issued a fresh statement with the country’s foreign ministry claiming that the whole of Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

India-China border tensions: Beijing issues fresh statement, reiterates claim on Galwan Valley

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Beijing on Friday issued a fresh statement on the India-China border tensions with the country’s foreign ministry claiming that the whole of Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control.

China’s foreign ministry claimed that Chinese troops have been patrolling the area “for years” and that India unilaterally changed the status quo of control and management since April.

“The Galwan Valley is located on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control in the west section of the China-India boundary. For many years, the Chinese border troops have been patrolling and on duty in this region,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in a press conference that was held before PM Modi’s address yesterday.

The ministry added that India has “unilaterally and continuously built roads, bridges and other facilities at the LAC in the Galwan Valley”.

Zhao, in the statement, said that Indian troops trespassed into China’s territory on May 6 and “built fortification and barricades, which impeded the patrol of Chinese border troops”. This, Zhao said, forced Chinese troops to respond.

The ministry said that India had agreed to not patrol and build facilities in Galwan. India “promised that they would not cross the estuary of the Galwan river to patrol and build facilities”, it said, adding that both the sides agreed for a phased withdrawal of troops on June 6.

The ministry, however, further claimed that India violated the agreement on June 15 and “once again crossed the Line of Actual Control for deliberate provocation”. It claimed that Indian troops “violently attacked the Chinese officers and soldiers who went there for negotiation, thus triggering fierce physical conflicts and causing casualties”.

The ministry also added that both the sides will hold a second commander level meeting soon. “India-China agreed to cool down the situation as soon as possible as per bilateral agreements,” it said.

According to the Indian Army, violent clashes took place between Indian and Chinese troops on the intervening night of June 15 and June 16 during the de-escalation process in Galwan region of eastern Ladakh.

20 Indian soldiers have been killed in the clashes with China, the first such deadly fight at the border in at least 45 years.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Border standoff: North block mulling duty hikes to curb Chinese imports

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Even as diplomatic talks continue between India and China following the brutal face-off at Line of Actual Control (LAC), New Delhi is mulling options to reduce India’s dependence on Chinese products.

India, which is currently heavily dependent upon Chinese imports, when it comes to manufacturing activity, domestic consumption and exports, is considering a proposal to hike customs and import duties on over 300 items.

“The Finance and Commerce ministries have already held a series of discussions with line ministry officers on various policy options on Chinese goods and to reduce India’s dependence on these goods,” highly placed sources told CNBCTV18.

Government officials confirmed that multiple meetings have already happened and a few more are lined up before a formal proposal will be put up before the the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister for a final nod.

“Commerce ministry, earlier in May had sent a list of 300 plus items to Finance ministry asking for an increase in import and customs duties. The proposal was sent after commerce ministry had held deliberations and short these proposals from various line Ministries for a hike in duty,” government officials said.

“The Finance Ministry is currently in talks with the Commerce Ministry to assess the duty impact and also to see whether a move on hiking duties is whether WTO compliant or not. It is also looking at the possible economic impact as the cost of raw materials imported from China will rise if the duties are hiked.

The Ministry is also worried about the fact that a lot of Chinese imports are crucial to India’s manufacturing activity, which is just recovering from the recent lockdown,” sources said.

The Commerce Ministry has held discussions with heavy industry ministry, department of pharmaceuticals, MSME, power, and renewable energy ministry,  to see how India’s dependence on Chinese imports can be reduced, sources said.

Some ministries and departments have also cautioned the commerce and finance ministry on the fact that a hike in duties could severely impact the on-going Make In India program and any move taken should be taken after detailed deliberations, sources added.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

No formal plans for Trump to mediate between India and China: White House

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

There are no formal plans for US President Donald Trump to mediate between India and China to resolve the ongoing border tensions between the two countries, a White House spokesperson told CNBC-TV18.

According to the Indian Army, violent clashes took place between Indian and Chinese troops on the intervening night of June 15 and June 16 during the de-escalation process in Galwan region of eastern Ladakh.

20 Indian soldiers have been killed in the clashes with China, the first such deadly fight at the border in at least 45 years.

The US has condoled the loss of lives in the clashes. “The US offers its deepest condolences to the families of those who died,” said the White House spokesperson.

On Wednesday, a State Department spokesperson told CNBC-TV18 that the US was closely following the situation at the Line of Actual Control. “Both India and China have expressed a desire to de-escalate, and we support a peaceful resolution of the current situation,” the spokesperson said.

The US and India have been in close touch since May 5 when Indian and Chinese troops clashed in eastern Ladakh. Since then, China has substantially increased deployment along the Line of Actual Control.

Trump had earlier offered to mediate between India and China, however, Indian officials had denied seeking any intervention from the US government and emphasized that they would like to take up the matter with China directly.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow