Mobile Retailers Urge Government to Cancel Licenses of Chinese Brands Like OnePlus, iQOO, and Poco

A coalition of Indian mobile phone retailers is urging the central government to revoke the licenses of prominent Chinese smartphone brands such as OnePlus, iQOO, and Poco. The retailers, represented by trade bodies like the All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA), claim that these Chinese companies are negatively impacting the local mobile retail market by dominating sales and allegedly engaging in unfair trade practices.

The retailers argue that these brands are taking advantage of their deep financial resources to offer massive discounts and aggressive pricing models that local retailers struggle to match. They claim this creates an uneven playing field and forces many domestic players out of business, as consumers are drawn to the lower prices offered online and in exclusive stores run by these Chinese companies.

The push for government intervention is not new. Over the past few years, Chinese brands have dominated the Indian smartphone market, with Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and others capturing a significant share of the industry. Retailers now claim that government policies are favoring foreign brands at the expense of local sellers.

Mobile retailers are asking the government to take strict measures against these companies by either canceling their licenses or implementing stronger regulations to curb the influence of these brands in the market. This request comes in the context of India’s growing efforts to promote Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and support domestic industries amid increasing geopolitical tensions with China.

The call for action against Chinese brands highlights the broader tension in India’s economic and trade relationships with China. While Chinese smartphones continue to dominate sales due to their affordability and features, many in India argue that their market influence stifles local businesses and puts national economic interests at risk.

The Indian government has not yet made an official statement in response to these demands, but the issue remains a hot topic in the country’s ongoing efforts to balance foreign investments with support for local industries.