No plans to restrict Chinese phones import under Rs 12,000: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Indian authorities have cleared any speculations over the Chinese mobile phone ban and announced that there isn't any order given to restrict the import of Chinese companies' mobile phones.

"The government has asked Chinese mobile companies to increase their exports from India and there is no proposal to ban the sale of handsets below ₹ 12,000 made by such firms," said Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and IT.

He also said that Indian companies also have a role to play in the country's electronic ecosystem but it does not mean the exclusion of foreign brands.

"Only issue that we have raised and done very transparently with some of the Chinese brands is that we have said that our expectation is that they will do more exports. Their supply chain, especially the components supply chain, needs to be more transparent and much more open… (On) the other narrative about crowding them out from a particular segment (sub-Rs 12,000) of the market, we don't have any proposal and I am not sure where it came from," Chandrasekhar further said.

He was responding to a question on a reported plan of the government to bar Chinese companies from selling sub-Rs 12,000 mobile phones.

While releasing a report prepared by ICRIER in collaboration with industry body ICEA on increasing domestic value addition, the minister said the government is looking to reach USD 300 billion-electronics production and exports of USD 120 billion by 2025-26.

"In our scheme of things, there is space for Indian brands. In our electronics supply chain, Indian brands, and Indian entrepreneurs also have a role to play. It is not about exclusion of foreign suppliers or foreign brands but we believe that it is our policy and the government of India's obligatory duty to build Indian brands," the minister added.

The government feels there is crowding out of Indian brands due to unfair trade practices and the government would like to intervene and make sure that those issues are resolved, as per reports.

Meanwhile, the industry has submitted its report on requirements for increasing domestic value addition which will be considered for taking appropriate steps.