- By Alex David
- Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The talk about TikTok’s return to India has made headlines recently as the app’s website was momentarily accessible for some users. But Union Minister for IT, Information and Broadcasting and Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has cleared the air by stating that there isn’t any talk taking place nor any proposal being considered to unban it.
“There is absolutely no proposal which has come from any quarters,” Vaishnaw told Moneycontrol, dismissing reports that TikTok’s parent company ByteDance was preparing for a re-entry into the Indian market.
Why the Buzz Started
TikTok’s website suddenly came alive last month for some people on some mobile and broadband networks in India. The glitch had fueled speculation that a relaunch was imminent, but officials later made clear that it was not linked to any official restart.
Background of the Ban
- TikTok was among 59 Chinese apps that were blocked in India in June 2020 over data privacy issues and national security concerns.
- The ban was made permanent this January, directing Apple and Google to take down the apps from their stores.
- At the time of the ban, India was TikTok’s largest market, with more than 200 million users.
- Additional apps by ByteDance, such as Helo, CapCut and Resso, were axed as well.
India’s Stance on Chinese Investments
Vaishnaw reiterated that the government has an 'open policy framework' but said that tighter foreign direct investment (FDI) rules introduced in April 2020 said that shareholders from a country sharing land border with India would need "prior approval". This action has effectively reduced Chinese investment in Indian startups.
The Bottom Line
Amidst speculation and a few teething issues, TikTok’s return to India is still not happening right now. With no real proposals on the table and regulatory roadblocks still in the picture, Indian users shouldn’t be expected to see the short video platform making a comeback any time soon.
