No import of power equipment from China, Pak, says Union minister

Adding to the list of banned Chinese activities, the Centre on Friday (July 3) announced that the country will not import power equipment from China as Beijing may use it to cause a power grid shutdown in the country.

Announcing the decision at a virtual conference with his counterparts in states and Union territories, Union Power Minister RK Singh said that power equipment imported from the two neighbouring countries will not be permitted, especially on the basis of inspection.

He also asked state discoms not to order equipment from Chinese firms.

“We manufacture everything here. India imported ₹71,000 crore worth power equipment including ₹21,000 crore from China,” he said.

“This (import) is something we cannot tolerate that a country will transgress into our territory…we will not take anything from China and Pakistan,” he added.

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He also said that the central government will not allow import prior reference countries.

“We are affected. There could be malware or trojan horse in those which they can activate remotely,” he said.

The minister said it was a pity that discoms order vital elements like tower parts, transformers and conductors even though those are manufactured in India.

The announcement comes a day after Union minister Nitin Gadkari said that India will not allow Chinese companies to participate in highway projects and entertain Chinese investors in MSMEs.

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Earlier this week, the government banned 59 Chinese apps including TitTok, WeChat and ShareIt citing security concerns amid a tense border conflict with the neighbouring nation at eastern Ladakh.