India reportedly delaying Huawei expansion

China's Huawei Technologies is reportedly nervous about delays in gaining government approval of its investments in India. The company submitted applications to invest in Indian companies more than a year ago, later petitioning Indian officials to expedite the approval process, according to a Sept. 19 report from The Hindu.

"The applications are still pending. There seems to be some misunderstanding. While there has been no response from the government, we understand from media reports that there are some concerns about security," the report quoted Huawei spokesperson Fu Jun as saying.

Huawei operates a software development center in the country and is seeking permission to expand the center by 300 engineers to 1,500 this year. The company also wants to add another 500 engineers over the next two years and has filed a second application with the government seeking permission to manufacture CDMA-based wireless terminals in India.

The government has not commented on media reports quoting unnamed officials as saying the government has security concerns about Huawei's Indian expansion plans. China's ZTE has encountered similar government delays. The telecom equipment maker is seeking to enter India's wholesale telecom market.

- K.C. Krishnadas
EE Times