The decision was made by the Cabinet Security Committee.
New Delhi:
Amid tension with China, the government said today that it could blacklist certain telecom equipment suppliers and designate companies as “Trusted Source from India.”
The telecommunications industry may soon have a list of companies from which companies can purchase products and services.
The decision was made by the Cabinet Security Committee to “improve the security of the telecommunications sector” by appointing a trusted source, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
“So there is a reliable source and there is an unreliable source,” the minister said, announcing a National Security Directive in the telecommunications sector.
The government declined to elaborate on whether the move was aimed at Chinese suppliers.
Prasad called it an important step for national security. “To maintain the security of the supply chain, the government will declare reliable products for telecom service providers. Existing telecom equipment with operators will not be affected,” he said.
Last month, the government banned several Chinese mobile apps for activities “detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the defense of India, state security and public order.”
The apps were banned under Section 69A of the Information Technology Law, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said today.
The move was based on “full reports received from the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center, Home Office,” a government statement said.
Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a protracted confrontation on the border in Ladakh since April. The two countries have had several rounds of military and diplomatic dialogues in which India has demanded that Chinese troops restore the status quo.
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