Boycott Calls Into India After Deadly Clashes With China

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In India, if a military response to the clash on June 15 - the deadliest in 53 years with China - is unlikely for the moment, many are calling for an economic boycott of Chinese products. This would be achievable, but expensive for the country.

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From our correspondent in New Delhi , Sébastien Farcis

After the clashes between the Indian and Chinese armies on their border of Ladakh , in the Himalayas, the Indian response is felt. The confederation of Indian traders launched the assault: it called on the government to boycott 3,000 different products imported from China.

This boycott would have two advantages according to her: "  Respect the anger of the Indians injured by the Chinese attack and prevent the Chinese from capturing the Indian market  ".

► To read: Perilous face-to-face between India and China in the Himalayan region of Ladakh

Only 15% of Indian imports come from China and that's what makes this boycott complicated. For example, Indian telephones exist but they are more expensive and less efficient than those from China, which dominate the Indian market. And while mass unemployment is hitting India because of the Covid-19 health crisis, the transition would be difficult.

Otherwise, many are rather calling for symbolic measures like the withdrawal of the mobile manufacturer Vivo as official sponsor of the Cricket League, a contract worth 245 million euros for 5 years. For its part, the National Cricket Council has already announced that it will not hire a Chinese company to renovate its infrastructure.

In the meantime - and ironically, some TV programs calling for a boycott are themselves sponsored by Chinese phone manufacturers.

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