Much of the discussion at the meeting revolved around a presentation made by security agencies that put the spotlight on two core areas; telecom and higher education. In the telecom sector, security agencies pointed to the telecom department’s instructions to state-run phone company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, BSNL, to amend its tender to exclude Chinese equipment makers from a large 4G upgrade project. There have also been allegations that large tenders are tailored to suit Chinese companies. The rule that requires approvals from the education ministry, home ministry and the external affairs ministry before signing pacts with Chinese institutions or universities isn’t new. But some institutes started to shut after lawmakers expressed concerns that these served as a platform for chinese intelligence and political agenda.

Source: Hindustan Times July 23, 2020 02:30 UTC