Indian officials again deny considering restrictions on foreign cell phones under $1,000

There are no plans to restrict sales of foreign smartphone brands priced below $150 (about $1,036), an official with India's Information Technology Ministry said Monday, following reports that the country may impose restrictions to boost domestic phone makers.

"There is no such proposal in our department," the official told reporters when asked if there were any plans to restrict sales to Indian brands of devices priced below 12,000 rupees ($150), "There is room for Indian brands and it does not exclude foreign vendors or foreign brands," he said. " he said.

Chinese phone companies account for a large portion of entry-level smartphones, and their smartphones are popular among Indian users, with India being the world's second largest mobile market.

This comes after news that India is planning to restrict sales of low-cost Chinese smartphones in a bid to revive the prospects of Made in India.

India is known to have increased scrutiny of Chinese companies since 2020, banning more than 200 mobile apps served by Chinese companies.

In July, India's Enforcement Directorate blocked 119 bank accounts linked to vivo's Indian operations as part of an alleged money laundering investigation and raided 48 vivo offices and 23 of its related entities nationwide.

Also in July, India's Tax Intelligence Bureau accused OPPO of evading nearly 43.9 billion rupees (roughly Rs. 3.71 billion) in customs duties and demanded payment of taxes.

Both Chinese phone makers have denied the allegations.