According to four defense and industry officials as well as documents accessed by Reuters, India has in recent months barred domestic manufacturers of military drones from using components made in China.
The decision was reportedly made due to security concerns, with sources citing worries surrounding communication systems, cameras, radio transmissions, and operating software within drones.
Through vast investment, China currently holds a grip on India in the global information war. While China's policy is not India-specific, and often targets countries neck-deep in debt to Beijing, India must reject China's growing influence over the state. In the age of technology, conflict is not fought merely using weapons, and Modi's government must be wary of Beijing's expansive tools of control.
China, since 2002, has gradually enforced export controls in line with common international norms and practices concerning high-performance unmanned aerial devices. China will continue with such a practice, and uphold the belief that technological advances should only be used in good faith for the global benefit of all people.