HCL co-founder and National Quantum Mission Chairman Ajai Chowdhry has raised alarms over India’s growing dependence on Chinese-made electronics — from chips and CCTVs to biometric systems. In an interview with ANI, he alleged that these devices may contain “backdoors” capable of transmitting sensitive Indian data to China, posing a grave national security risk.
Chowdhry cited intelligence findings showing data leaks from biometric attendance systems used in government offices, claiming that details of employees were being sent to servers in China. He warned that every CCTV camera with Chinese components could similarly compromise surveillance networks nationwide.
Call For A Complete Ban On Chinese Chips
Chowdhry urged the Central government to ban the import of Chinese chips, arguing that India must follow the U.S. and Europe, both of which have prohibited the use of Chinese-made CCTVs and components. “Each of those chips has a backdoor,” he cautioned, adding that banning such imports would not only protect data but also create a domestic market for Indian semiconductor firms.
From ‘Screwdriver Jobs’ To True Manufacturing
Criticizing India’s limited role in electronics manufacturing, Chowdhry described current operations as “screwdriver jobs” — where kits are imported from China and merely assembled in India. He cited that 60% of India’s 150 million smartphones sold annually are Chinese brands. The same pattern, he noted, extends to drone manufacturing, where Chinese drones are rebranded as Singaporean products.
The Vision For An ‘India Phone’
Chowdhry called for developing a secure, homegrown “India Phone” designed entirely in India with indigenous chips and encryption. He said such a project, supported by the government’s Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, could ensure data security, create high-tech jobs, and move India from a service-based economy to a product-driven powerhouse.
This vision aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission — to build, innovate, and protect in the digital age.
