'There is absolutely no proposal...': Ashwini Vaishnaw rules out TikTok's India return

The Indian government has officially quelled rumors regarding TikTok's potential comeback, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw firmly stating that there are no plans to lift the ban on the Chinese video-sharing app. In an interview with Moneycontrol, Vaishnaw emphasized that the topic has not even been brought up in government discussions, asserting, "There is absolutely no proposal which has come from any quarters." Speculation regarding TikTok's return intensified last month when users on certain broadband and mobile networks, including Airtel and Vodafone, reported brief accessibility to TikTok’s website. This unexpected occurrence led to a flurry of discussions on social media, but officials have since clarified that the app will not be making a return. TikTok, along with 58 other Chinese applications, was banned in June 2020 due to concerns over national security and data privacy. This ban was solidified in January 2021 when both Apple and Google removed the app from their platforms. At the time, India was TikTok's largest market, boasting over 200 million users. Other apps from ByteDance, such as Helo and CapCut, also faced bans, while the music streaming service Resso was compelled to cease operations in India following its removal from app stores. When questioned about the possibility of Chinese investors re-entering India’s startup scene, Vaishnaw indicated a cautious yet open approach, stating that the government would ensure transparency in its dealings. He remarked, "We will see as it happens. Policies will be clearly shared with everybody. We are a very transparent country." Chinese firms like Tencent, Alibaba, Ant Financial, and Shunwei Capital had previously been major investors in Indian startups, supporting a range of sectors including e-commerce and fintech. However, investment from these companies has significantly decreased since the implementation of Press Note 3 in April 2020, which mandates prior approval for investments from countries that share land borders with India. On the broader topic of technological and manufacturing collaboration, especially in areas such as semiconductors and electronics, Vaishnaw acknowledged the interconnected nature of the global industry. He stated, "We do respect this reality of the global value chain, and we respect the way this industry works. So, wherever the value is added, finally the benefits should come to our people, and benefits should come to our industry."