India Open And Welcoming Towards Us

Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei, which has been accused of spying by various countries, has said that it has been welcomed by the Indian government and partners, and there are no security concerns with its products.

“We believe this is all political. I have many interactions with all the government departments, such as the Department of Telecom (DoT), the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and nobody told me ‘you have a problem,’” Jay Chen, Chief Executive Officer, Huawei India, told reporters on the sidelines of a 5G workshop here.

Recently, countries such as Australia have banned Huawei equipment for 5G rollout in the country, while US government bodies have raised security concerns around Chinese telecom gear firms.

However, in India, there was nothing of the sort, Chen said. “Everybody said ‘we understand’, and clearly told me ‘yes, it is politics’,” he said, adding that all the engagements are very open and transparent.

“I don’t fear in India, but currently I don’t have an observation or opinion about the global scenario. My engagements with India are all positive,” he quipped.

In December, the telecom export body TEPC had requested National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to ban purchase of equipment from Chinese companies such as Huawei, ZTE and Fiber home for government networks, claiming that they can pose a serious national security threat.

However, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha in Parliament denied any proposal to consider a ban on telecom gears and equipment made by Huawei.

Future tech
On 5G, Chen said that Huwaei is prepared, and will be one of the first companies to do the trials with partners. The company has demonstrated its 5G technology to Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea, and looks forward to working with them, he said.

“I am waiting for the approval. I have finished several rounds of presentations to DoT and we are positive and comfortable about them,” he said, adding that 5G will be the next big invention after electricity.

“After electricity was invented, we know how human life developed. Similarly, 5G will change the lives of humans…the first remote heart surgery has been successfully done in China, so you can see what 5G can do in future,” Chen added. – The Hindu BusinessLine