China says Indian ban on 59 apps in violation of WTO rules

China said on Wednesday that India’s decision to keep a ban on 59 Chinese apps was a violation of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) fair rules of business, Reuters reported. It would hurt the Chinese firms, it said.

Last year India banned several Chinese apps, citing security reasons. It coincided with heightened tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. 

This month, the central government decided to keep the ban on the 59 apps, including TikTok.

“We urge the Indian side to immediately correct its discriminatory measures and avoid causing further damage to bilateral cooperation,” read the statement issued by Ji Rong, the spokesperson of Chinese embassy in India.