From an analytical perspective, there is, of course, a case to be made with regard to matters of data security, storage and access, issues of public order and content moderation policies, and the threat of foreign influence operations. These are broader policy matters that need not be limited to discussion over Chinese products.
However, given the historically difficult and increasingly volatile nature of the India-China relationship along with the evident strategic contest brewing around emerging technologies, China is likely to remain a key factor in these decisions.
In addition, there is also a case to be made about the principle of reciprocity, particularly when it comes to Chinese applications. Unfortunately, neither of these arguments have been made well by the government in public at least.
This is perhaps largely because the app ban decision was not part of a thought-through approach towards digital governance, security and the strategic environment. Rather, it was a…