Beijing is “emphatically worried” about New Delhi’s step to ban 59 Chinese, mobile applications, Likee, TikTok, UC Browser and WeChat, and others.

Chinese media blamed India for the border tension and said that the ban on apps is part of the wave of “ultra-nationalism”. on participation between the two nations and underlined that the ban would conflict with “India’s interests”.

The information technology ministry did not underline the Chinese links of the 59 mobile apps but government officials didn’t leave anyone in doubt. The ban was fast-tracked by Home Minister Amit Shah after the June 15 violent confrontation between soldiers of India and China at eastern Ladakh’s Galwan valley that spiralled tensions between the two neighbours.

The official announcement only said the 59 applications were prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. “This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users,” the Indian IT ministry statement on Monday evening said.