Govt mulls curbs on foreign firms in ‘strategic areas’ like telecom

NEW DELHI: Government agencies have begun discussions on possible checks on foreign players participating in certain ‘strategic areas’, such as putting in place telecom infrastructure or construction projects in sensitive parts of the country.

So far, deliberations involving the security set-up and some ministries have been preliminary and no decision on the issue has been taken, including identification of areas which may face restrictions, a government official told TOI. “Several countries, including the US and even parts of Europe, have such curbs where certain sectors or projects are out of bounds for overseas entities given the sensitivities involved,” a source, who did not wish to be identified, said.