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India's security concerns: Government of India moves to limit Chinese CCTV use, citing national security risks

This move is expected to:

  • Boost local surveillance camera manufacturers
  • Enhance national security
  • Reduce dependence on Chinese technology

What does this mean for India's surveillance market? Read the link in the bio to know more.

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In a brand-new policy, the Indian government is set to tighten its grip on surveillance security by restricting the Chinese CCTVs in India. This decision by GOI (Government of India) is prompted by the recent security concerns following a series of pager explosions in Lebanon. The new policy is set to come into effect on October 8 and is said to be aimed at pushing Chinese companies out of the Indian market while boosting opportunities for domestic manufacturers.

According to a report by The Times of India, the government had previously issued notices in March and April, but following the Lebanon incidents, there has been a renewed focus on speeding up the enforcement timeline. Further in the report, it is stated that the government is looking to eliminate any more possible surveillance threats in the supply chain.

“The main concern is not the explosions but the risk of data leaks from CCTV cameras in sensitive areas. The government aims to ensure that only products from trusted locations are used,” a source explained in the report.

This policy is also being seen as a boost in the arm to Make in India initiative launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The program will foster innovation, facilitate investment, and enhance skill development. Apart from this, this development has started yielding results, with India's credibility stronger than ever, and the country poised to become the world's most powerful economy.

Varun Gupta, a research analyst at Counterpoint Research explained that foreign companies like CP Plus, Hikvision, and Dahua currently dominate over 60% of the Indian market. However, with the new regulations, these companies will need to focus on localization and invest in research and development to comply. While CP Plus is an Indian company, Hikvision and Dahua are based in China and have faced similar restrictions in the US.

In November 2022, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned equipment sales from Hikvision and Dahua, citing ‘unacceptable risk to national security’. The Indian government has also been rejecting tenders from Chinese CCTV firms in favour of European brands like Bosch, despite being significantly more expensive.

A source revealed that the emphasis on surveillance camera security predates pager explosions.  According to the source in the report, “The guidelines for security certification, issued in March, will come into force in October. The main concern is not the explosions but the risk of data leaks from CCTV cameras in sensitive areas. The government aims to ensure that only products from trusted locations are used.”

India’s emphasis on "trusted location" suppliers aligns with the country’s broader Make in India initiative, which seeks to promote domestic manufacturing across various sectors, including technology and surveillance. Two gazette notifications issued earlier this year outlined the steps needed to promote locally made surveillance equipment, establishing the groundwork for India’s shift toward more self-reliant production.

While there are no plans to fully “rip and replace" existing Chinese surveillance systems with domestically manufactured alternatives—this remains a possibility in the future. The primary goal for the Indian government, for now, is to ensure that new installations are sourced from vendors located in trusted regions.

As the October 8 enforcement date approaches, it’s clear that these changes will have far-reaching consequences, not just for Chinese suppliers but also for the Indian surveillance industry as a whole.