China blocking sale of tunnel boring machines to India: Piyush Goyal to German minister

[zhanlong]

Then you should sing praise for CCP . Begin your bard song right now for Xi and company.

Oh no. It was you Indians who gave Xi money. But Xi doesn't want Indian money.

 

[zhanlong]

Probably it is like iPhone. US-brand, but all components, especially core components are made by Chinese/Korean/Taiwanese/Japanese companies. In theory, the Chinese government can ban selling iPhones (at least some models with Chinese core components) to any country if they want, although the phone can be assembled in India.

The German TBM company must depend on Chinese core components

But now the question is. India has been buying TBM from Chinese companies. India has never bought German TBM.

 

[冖_冖]

China imposes export controls on tunnel-boring machines sought by India, citing ‘national security’

China imposes export controls on tunnel-boring machines and drones, affecting India’s imports amid national-security concerns.

www.thehindu.com

China imposes export controls ontunnel-boring machines sought byIndia, citing ‘national security’

China on Monday (October 19, 2026) said it would introduce export controls on tunnelboring machines “to better safeguard national security and interests”, startingNovember 18.

India has already been facing difficulties in customs clearance and delays in importingTBMs from China for several critical infrastructure projects. The latest announcementcomes days after Beijing announced a plan to impose sweeping export controls on 40cutting-edge technologies including those for certain advanced solar manufacturingand some AI platforms.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Monday (October 19) in an announcement, itwas “introducing export controls on tunnel-boring machines and related items andoptimising and adjusting export-control measures for certain dredgers and relateditems.” The measures will take effect on November 18.

The Ministry said prior to the announcement, China had “notified the relevantcountries and regions with which it has established export-control dialoguemechanisms.”

“The items covered by these measures have clear dual-use (civilian and military)characteristics,” the announcement said. “The measures are intended to bettersafeguard national security and interests, while also enabling China to better fulfil itsinternational obligations, including those related to non-proliferation”.

India has previously raised with China the delays in customs clearance for imports ofTBMs, which are used in India for several critical projects including the construction ofmetro rail networks in cities, railway corridors and key tunnelling projects including inborder areas.

India is dependent on imports for the machines. Difficulties in imports from Chinastarted in 2024. In October of that year, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had publiclyraised the issue with visiting German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, pointing out thatChina was blocking the export of TBMs made by a German company in China.

 

[retaxis]

China imposes export controls on tunnel-boring machines sought by India, citing ‘national security’

China imposes export controls on tunnel-boring machines and drones, affecting India’s imports amid national-security concerns.

www.thehindu.com

China imposes export controls ontunnel-boring machines sought byIndia, citing ‘national security’

China on Monday (October 19, 2026) said it would introduce export controls on tunnelboring machines “to better safeguard national security and interests”, startingNovember 18.

India has already been facing difficulties in customs clearance and delays in importingTBMs from China for several critical infrastructure projects. The latest announcementcomes days after Beijing announced a plan to impose sweeping export controls on 40cutting-edge technologies including those for certain advanced solar manufacturingand some AI platforms.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Monday (October 19) in an announcement, itwas “introducing export controls on tunnel-boring machines and related items andoptimising and adjusting export-control measures for certain dredgers and relateditems.” The measures will take effect on November 18.

The Ministry said prior to the announcement, China had “notified the relevantcountries and regions with which it has established export-control dialoguemechanisms.”

“The items covered by these measures have clear dual-use (civilian and military)characteristics,” the announcement said. “The measures are intended to bettersafeguard national security and interests, while also enabling China to better fulfil itsinternational obligations, including those related to non-proliferation”.

India has previously raised with China the delays in customs clearance for imports ofTBMs, which are used in India for several critical projects including the construction ofmetro rail networks in cities, railway corridors and key tunnelling projects including inborder areas.

India is dependent on imports for the machines. Difficulties in imports from Chinastarted in 2024. In October of that year, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had publiclyraised the issue with visiting German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, pointing out thatChina was blocking the export of TBMs made by a German company in China.

back to using pick axe technology for indians

 

[Pioneer]

Chinese TBMs occupy over 70% of the global market share. All are Chinese brands. Foreign brands are excluded. This represents an absolute monopoly position.

 

[Sam6536]

I think this is a good snub by China for India in the long run.

This has forced India to look at alternative supply chains and to localise supply chains in India. Last i checked state run BEML was also looking to manufacture the tech inhouse with help from Japan.

Iirc in this particular case India bought the TBM from a German company which manufactures it in China due to obvious economics of scale metrics. The machine then was lying in a Chinese port for over a year after which they cleared export clearance.

It's just like American Chips act for China, when external powers force you to adapt you do it even if you get pinched in the short run.

Herrenknecht is supplying India's largest tunnel boring machines

www.herrenknecht.com

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2281288&reg=22&lang=13

German Herrenknecht will produce the tech in Chennai locally now. It is already being used in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project.

 

[ety]

China imposes export controls on tunnel-boring machines sought by India, citing ‘national security’

China imposes export controls on tunnel-boring machines and drones, affecting India’s imports amid national-security concerns.

www.thehindu.com

China imposes export controls ontunnel-boring machines sought byIndia, citing ‘national security’

China on Monday (October 19, 2026) said it would introduce export controls on tunnelboring machines “to better safeguard national security and interests”, startingNovember 18.

India has already been facing difficulties in customs clearance and delays in importingTBMs from China for several critical infrastructure projects. The latest announcementcomes days after Beijing announced a plan to impose sweeping export controls on 40cutting-edge technologies including those for certain advanced solar manufacturingand some AI platforms.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Monday (October 19) in an announcement, itwas “introducing export controls on tunnel-boring machines and related items andoptimising and adjusting export-control measures for certain dredgers and relateditems.” The measures will take effect on November 18.

The Ministry said prior to the announcement, China had “notified the relevantcountries and regions with which it has established export-control dialoguemechanisms.”

“The items covered by these measures have clear dual-use (civilian and military)characteristics,” the announcement said. “The measures are intended to bettersafeguard national security and interests, while also enabling China to better fulfil itsinternational obligations, including those related to non-proliferation”.

India has previously raised with China the delays in customs clearance for imports ofTBMs, which are used in India for several critical projects including the construction ofmetro rail networks in cities, railway corridors and key tunnelling projects including inborder areas.

India is dependent on imports for the machines. Difficulties in imports from Chinastarted in 2024. In October of that year, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had publiclyraised the issue with visiting German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, pointing out thatChina was blocking the export of TBMs made by a German company in China.

Good move by the Chinese gov, long overdue. TBM can be a strategic asset for both the military and civilian constructions. The Chinese gov is getting smarter in controlling its valuable tech and resources.

 

[Sam6536]

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project: Assembly of India's largest-ever 13.56-meter TBM is progressing at Shaft 3 in Sawli, Mumbai. It will bore 9.7 km of the 16 km TBM section, highlight of which is India's first 7 km undersea rail tunnel beneath Thane Creek.