Indian telecom ban violates WTO rules, say experts

BEIJING - India's move to prevent or make it more difficult for telecommunication companies to buy equipment from Chinese companies is a violation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) norms and clearly smacks of trade protectionism, experts said on Wednesday.

Though the Indian government has not made any official announcement in this regard, sources said the nation has stopped approvals of Chinese telecom gear imports, citing security concerns.

"The move is discriminatory and the explanation does not make any sense," said He Weiwen, an executive council member of the China Society for WTO Studies.