The Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association (TEMA) of India, in a communication to the Secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has expressed their dismay over the recent media reports about the letter from the US Assistant Trade Representative suggesting India should take a soft stand on national security issues as far as the Indian telecommunication industry is concerned.
The letter from the US Assistant Trade Representative (South & Central Asia), Michael J Delaney to DoT’s DDG (Security) questions the upcoming security framework in the telecom industry wherein the Government of India has indicated that 50 per cent of all 'core telecom network equipment 'will have to be indigenously developed or manufactured.
Ashok K Aggarwal Honorary Director-General, Telecommunication Equipment Manufacturers Association of India shared, "Going by the media reports, the contents of the letter from US, ATR are not in our nation's interest. Delaney has impressed upon Government of India to ignore / dilute such provisions. This stand not only challenges the Indian policy, but also increases the national security threat. The U.S Government has stringent checks and balances in their country to thwart all possibilities of security threat for their critical infrastructure like Telecom, which is clearly evident from the recent investigations ordered by the US House Intelligence Committee in this regard. This letter from US ATR clearly demonstrates the double standards being adopted by the US."
