No Chinese Firms In Road Project, Says Nitin Gadkari; DoT Cancels BSNL 4G Tender

India will not allow Chinese companies to participate in highway projects, including those through joint ventures, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on July 1. Gadkari also said the government will ensure that Chinese investors are not entertained in various sectors like Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Senior minister's assertions assume significance against the backdrop of border clash between India & China in Ladakh that also saw the death of 20 Indian Army personnel in June. The Road Transport, Highways and MSME minister said a policy will be out soon banning Chinese firms and relaxing norms for Indian companies to expand their eligibility criteria for participation in highway projects. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on July 1 cancelled the anticipated 4G upgradation tender of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Huawei and ZTE are notably the two Chinese telecom gear manufacturers that are supplying equipment to Indian telecom operators. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US has banned Huawei and ZTE as suppliers for projects under its Universal Service Fund and classified them as security threat.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 02, 2020 03:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).