A top Chinese industry group urged the Indian government to provide a level playing field for Chinese IT firms after India decided to ban telecom equipment from China citing security reasons.

The China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, of which major Chinese equipment makers Huawei and ZTE are members, said it has received complaints from telecom equipment makers and has contacted government agencies over the issue.

"We've required our member companies to cooperate with the Indian government's new rules, but we hope India creates a fair and transparent environment for Chinese telecom firms and avoids applying discriminatory measures that are targeted only at Chinese firms," it said.

In a recent order the Indian government reportedly told mobile operators not to import any network equipment manufactured by Chinese vendors, citing security reasons.

The chamber's statement said if this was the case, India would have violated the World Trade Organization's rule on national treatment.

(Xinhua News Agency May 1, 2010)