AIMRA Calls for Ban on Chinese Smartphone Brands

The All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) has urged the Indian government to revoke the licenses of Chinese smartphone brands iQoo, Poco, and OnePlus, citing anti-competitive practices that harm local retailers and the economy. The association claims these companies have exclusive agreements with e-commerce platforms like Amazon, which bypass traditional retail channels and deprive the government of tax revenue from offline sales. AIMRA's Chairman, Kailash Lakhyani, emphasized the negative impact on local businesses and market dynamics, asserting that these brands exploit online platforms to facilitate gray market activities. AIMRA has proposed a stronger e-commerce policy framework to address regulatory loopholes and combat these practices. They have reached out to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for intervention, highlighting the urgent need to protect local retailers. The association represents over 1.5 million mobile retailers across India and is advocating for a fair trading environment.