India’s government agency, the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade imposed ban on import of Chinese mobile handsets which do not have valid International Mobile Equipment Identity Number (IMEI).

The move follows concerns raised by security agencies over continued use of such phones in India. DoT had earlier decided to direct operators to disconnect connections on such phones. But ultimately it agreed to COAI suggestion of allowing use of a special software through which IMEI can be assigned to such handsets.

The new ban is alongside ban on toys and dairy products from China.

The popularity of such handsets is rapidly growing in the Indian market for the high value for money proposition offered by these handsets as they have features of high-end phones but comes at a handy price.