New Delhi: The Congress party on Friday sharply criticized the Centre after reports surfaced that websites for Chinese platforms TikTok and AliExpress had become partially accessible in India. While the mobile apps remain banned, the party questioned the government’s intentions, linking the development to what it called a pattern of “softness” toward China.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “striking a deal with China at the cost of martyrs’ sacrifices.”
“The website of TikTok has started functioning in India. During the clash with China, 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives. At first, the Prime Minister gave China a clean chit. Under pressure, TikTok was banned, but now the same company’s website is back online while Modi is meeting Chinese officials. This shows where the priorities lie,” the Congress statement said.
The party drew a parallel with ceasefire talks involving Pakistan, claiming this was another instance of the government “going soft on matters of national security.”
TikTok, AliExpress Still Partially Restricted
While TikTok’s website allows users to access its homepage, the app itself remains blocked for downloads and use. Similarly, AliExpress—owned by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba—does not currently allow shopping transactions from India despite its website appearing online.
So far, there has been no official confirmation from the government on whether the bans are being reconsidered.
The 2020 Ban and Security Concerns
TikTok, AliExpress, Shein, and 58 other Chinese apps were banned in India in June 2020 following escalating tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). At the time, the government cited concerns over data security and threats to India’s sovereignty and integrity.
The partial reappearance of these platforms has now triggered political debate, with opposition leaders demanding clarity on whether there has been a policy shift or a technical loophole.
For now, the bans remain officially in place, but the controversy has reignited discussions about data privacy, foreign influence, and India’s diplomatic stance on China.
