India to ban Chinese companies from highway projects

Amid the ongoing India-China tensions, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced that India will ban Chinese companies from participating in highway projects, including those through joint ventures (JVs). According to the ministry, a policy will be released soon banning Chinese firms and relaxing norms for Indian companies to expand their eligibility criteria for participation in highway projects. Qualification norms for projects are being rationalised by the MoRTH to ensure that Indian companies do not need to enter into pacts with foreign partners to grab projects. With respect to existing tenders and future bids, the ministry has asserted that rebidding will be done in the case of any Chinese JVs.