India has banned 59 apps with Chinese connection. Ravi Shankar Prasad called it Digital Strike. He said it was for the safety of the country and to safeguard people’s digital data. It seems surgical strike against China is not possible and digital strike was the next best thing.
USA is against Chinese apps. After the Battle of Galwan, USA is ready to be on the side of India and other countries which have border disputes with China. US war ships are in South China Sea. It is possible that war will break out by accident or design.
India and China have agreed to move back 1.8 km from the site of clash on 15/6/2020. US support for India is the likely reason for China’s abandonment of march into Indian territory. What compromises India’s Government has made to please China is not fully known. One was glaring as India’s President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi did not wish Dalai Lama on his birthday on 6/7/2020.
The executives of companies of 59 apps were to meet officials of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on 3/7/2020. The meeting has been postponed with no date fixed. Some companies may change ownership.
The effectiveness of bans will be known in due course. Indians who use those apps will find it inconvenient to stop using them. In some cases patriotism may triumph over inconvenience.
China decided to attack India after Amit Shah’s statement in Lok Sabha on 6/8/2019. He said, during a discussion on resolution to abrogate Article 370, “Mr. Speaker, I want to put this on record that whenever I say State of Jammu and Kashmir in the House, then both PoK and Aksai Chin are part of it. The boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir decided in our Constitution and also in the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, includes PoK and Aksai Chin.” China’s foreign ministry had issued a statement “We urge India to be cautious in its words and deeds on the border issue, strictly abide by the relevant agreements reached between the two sides, and avoid taking actions that further complicate the border issue.”
Commendable and bold step!
I wonder if this is temporary ban or banned for good !
much appreciated step and will help Indians focus on their manufacturing units for the physical goods/hardware and software industry for digital needs.