Pillai meets Chinese envoy, talks telecom deal

A decision on allowing Chinese telecom equipment by Indian phone companies could be taken within a month, a government official said on Thursday.

A decision on allowing Chinese telecom equipment by Indian phone companies could be taken within a month, a government official said on Thursday.Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan met Union Home Secretary G.K Pillai in the backdrop of concerns raised by Indian security agencies on the use of telecom equipment made by Chinese manufacturers."The home secretary has sought some clarifications. Once the information sought is received, we will take a decision within the next two week," a government official said."We could give them the clearance if there are no objections about their ownership pattern," the official said.After his 45-minute meeting with Pillai, Zhang said he had "a very good discussion. It was a positive meeting. I hope all relevant issues will be resolved".Zhang referred to certifications to take care of security concerns that had been accepted by other countries.ZTE and Huwaei Technologies are the Chinese telecom firms whose equipment evoked security concerns in India. BSNL’s tender for GSM worth Rs 36,000 crore allegedly did not get sanction six months ago following an alert from security agencies.Zhang pointed out interest among some Chinese companies to set up facilities in India

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A decision on allowing Chinese telecom equipment by Indian phone companies could be taken within a month, a government official said on Thursday.

Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan met Union Home Secretary G.K Pillai in the backdrop of concerns raised by Indian security agencies on the use of telecom equipment made by Chinese manufacturers.

"The home secretary has sought some clarifications. Once the information sought is received, we will take a decision within the next two week," a government official said.

"We could give them the clearance if there are no objections about their ownership pattern," the official said.

After his 45-minute meeting with Pillai, Zhang said he had "a very good discussion. It was a positive meeting. I hope all relevant issues will be resolved".

Zhang referred to certifications to take care of security concerns that had been accepted by other countries.

ZTE and Huwaei Technologies are the Chinese telecom firms whose equipment evoked security concerns in India. BSNL’s tender for GSM worth Rs 36,000 crore allegedly did not get sanction six months ago following an alert from security agencies.

Zhang pointed out interest among some Chinese companies to set up facilities in India.