It explains why India is anxious! Originally, India hoped to turn to Germany as an alternative supplier. However, the fact remains that German manufacturers’ production bases are largely located in China, making it impossible to circumvent Chinese involvement. On October 22, according to a report by India’s Economic Times, China’s newly introduced export controls on tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and related components have triggered significant concern within India. Indian media cited officials stating that the central government will soon hold discussions with relevant stakeholders to examine potential measures.

The anxiety stems not from a lack of suppliers, but from the realization that even if India seeks to procure German-made TBMs to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, those machines are now manufactured in China. To illustrate, the Mumbai Metro project once acquired 18 TBMs, 10 of which bore Western brand names—only to discover upon inspection that all were produced in China.

Crucially, the Chinese export restrictions apply not only to complete machines but also to critical components. Among the most frequently replaced parts are cutter bits and scrapers. In actual construction scenarios, hard-rock tunnels rely on cutter bits to crush rock through pressure, while the cutting rings wear down over time and must be replaced during scheduled shutdowns. Thus, even if the equipment is acquired, the ability to secure replacement parts after deployment becomes a major concern.

Data indicates that global annual demand for TBMs is approximately 500 units, with Chinese companies capturing around 70% of the worldwide market share. Consequently, any attempt to bypass China would result in significantly higher costs and substantially extended delivery timelines. In short, China’s regulatory move has indeed left India in a difficult position. If approval processes are delayed, domestic infrastructure projects may face postponement—or even suspension—awaiting equipment delivery. Moreover, even for TBMs already purchased, maintenance and servicing remain dependent on Chinese support. Hence, India has legitimate grounds to seek improved relations with China.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879711117305856/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.