The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology made a decision, and Indian authorities have blocked 43 Chinese mobile applications "for engaging in activities prejudicial to India's sovereignty, integrity, defense, security, and public order."
Among banned apps are four mobile products from the Chinese online retailer Alibaba, including AliExpress.
It is noted that the blocking was carried out based on reports received from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Recall that due to India and China's problematic relations, the Indian government blocked access to 59 mobile applications developed in China in June, including TikTok, WeChat, UC Browser, Xiaomi's Mi Community, Club Factory, SHAREit, Likee, Mi Video Call (Xiaomi), Weibo, Baidu, BIGO LIVE, and more.
In September, the Indian government banned the use of 118 apps on national security concerns. Among the prohibited ones were the most popular shooter PUBG Mobile, Baidu, a couple of virtual private networks (VPNs) that allowed access to TikTok that was banned earlier, and many other popular apps.
"Government is committed to protecting the interests of citizens and sovereignty and integrity of India on all fronts, and it shall take all possible steps to ensure that," the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said in the official statement.
This digital strike started after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a skirmish with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June.
