Opinion | India should ignore US-China politics in making Huawei call
- India should be clear-eyed about the benefits and costs of engaging with the Chinese firm, rather than get lost in a debate about geopolitics
- But it should be under no illusions about Huawei and its ties to the Chinese state
India’s decision whether to allow Chinese telecommunications companies, including Huawei, a role in its 5G trials is being keenly watched, not only in the country but also in the United States and China.
Nevertheless, Huawei is already reportedly helping four of Britain’s mobile operators to build their networks, and Britain has appeared to have taken a call to allow Chinese equipment in what is being called “noncore” components of its 5G infrastructure.
During a visit to India this week, Yang Yanyi, a former Chinese envoy to the EU and currently a member of the foreign affairs committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a political advisory body, said India should not be “exclusive” in its choice.
Yang, leading a delegation on trade issues, was quoted in the Indian media as slamming Washington, saying it “should be ashamed for trying to exert state power to suppress a Chinese company and other companies from developing countries from excelling in [telecommunications]”.
