New Delhi: Centre issued an order on Tuesday to block those apps, claiming they engaged in activities that threatened India’s national security.
“This action was taken based on the inputs regarding these apps for engaging in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order,” India’s information technology ministry said.
China expressed ‘profound concerns’ after India announced yet another ban on 43 Chinese apps, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a regular press briefing on Wednesday.
However, the move of banning apps has been referred to as a “digital strike” by Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Electronics and Information Technology and Communication Minister of India.
China has accused India of discriminatory practices that violate World Trade Organization rules after New Delhi banned another 43 Chinese mobile apps.
The move is a huge setback for Chinese business giant Alibaba, as the group is the biggest investor in Paytm, a popular fintech firm in India. Besides, the Chinese biggie backs the online grocer BigBasket. Its subsidiary UC Web ceased its staff in the country earlier this year, as the capital of India banned 59 Chinese apps including UC web browser.
Although Ali-express is not a paramount player in the fledgling e-commerce market of India, led by Amazon.com Inc’s local unit and Walmart Inc’s Flipkart. The Ali-express app is however well-liked by some small shopkeepers and motorcycle enthusiasts, who utilize the app as a source of cheap goods.
The Chinese embassy in India “resolutely” stood against the ban, while Alibaba chose not to respond to the ban or comment on anything immediately.