The bilateral relationship between India and China remain stressed after violent clashes in Ladakh’s Galwan valley. This has also led to a nationwide call for boycotting Chinese products and companies involved at several echelons in India.
Following the red-hot topic, the Indian government on Tuesday banned 59 Chinese applications, including some popular apps like TikTok, UC Browser and Cam Scanner. A statement from the government said that the apps are ‘engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order’.
Not only this, but there has also been a growing call for Indian cricket to terminate its relationship with Chinese sponsors. Latest to add thoughts on the trending topic is Kings XI Punjab’s co-owner Ness Wadia. The Indian businessman has called for a gradual end to Chinese sponsorship in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Chinese mobile phone brand Vivo is the IPL title sponsor, and it pays the BCCI Rs 440 crore annually for the five-year deal which is supposed to end in 2022. Concerning this, Wadia said that the lucrative league should cut ties with its Chinese sponsorships, if not at present, then by the 2021 season.
Wadia articulated that IPL stands for Indian Premier League, not Chinese Premier League; hence it should set an example for others by axing the relationship with Chinese companies.
“We should do it (sever ties with Chinese sponsors in IPL) for the sake of the nation. Country comes first; money is secondary. And it is the Indian Premier League, not the Chinese Premier League. It should lead by example and show the way,” Wadia told PTI.
The Liverpool-born Indian businessman stated that there are enough Indian sponsors who can easily replace the Chinese brands.
“Yes, it would be difficult to find sponsors initially, but I am sure there are enough Indian sponsors who can replace them. We must have all the respect for the nation and our government and most importantly, for the soldiers who risk their lives for us,” the 49-year-old added.
