(TibetanReview.net, Oct20’26) – After previously preventing a German company from exporting tunnel boring machines manufactured especially for India from its factories in China, Beijing has announced new export controls on such machines and related vital items. Such machines are critically needed in India for its metro, highway, and other major infrastructure projects.
These restrictions will take effect on Nov 18 and apply to tunnel boring machines and related items, reported PTI news agency Oct 19. Additionally, the export controls include critically important walking excavators and specific dredger-related items, complicating several Indian projects.
China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has said the restrictions were aimed at safeguarding national security and interests.
The restrictions could affect several projects in India, including underground metro systems, high-speed rail lines and tunnels in various locations, including border areas.
In 2024, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck that Beijing was not allowing a German company manufacturing TBMs in China to export them to India.
Announced as a part of new export restrictions affecting 14 technologies spanning sectors from artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology to photovoltaic solar power, exporters of the relevant items must apply for licences from MOFCOM in accordance with China’s Export Control Law and Regulations on Export Control of Dual-Use Items.
The latest restrictions come a year after a German tunnel boring machine manufacturer faced difficulties exporting equipment from its factories in China to India, noted businesstoday.in Oct 19.
It said that in Sep 2025, Germany’s Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, revealed that Chinese customs had blocked at least three tunnel boring machines manufactured by German company Herrenknecht and destined for Indian infrastructure projects.
Ackermann suggested that the delays were for political reasons. “The tunnel boring machines is an interesting case: So it is clear for political reasons that the Chinese would not really let them out. Now they are out…They are coming in. I think one came a month ago…The last one is coming now.”
The machines had been manufactured at Herrenknecht’s facilities in China for export to India but became caught up in restrictions amid tensions between New Delhi and Beijing after the 2020 Galwan clashes, the report said.
Following the export disruptions, Herrenknecht was stated to have decided to establish production facilities in India to reduce its dependence on Chinese manufacturing operations.
“Of course the company says that it cannot do business when Chinese customs are not allowing this. They are now setting up shop in India, they are trying to produce here. It is a good example on how to diversify, do not put your eggs in one basket only,” Ackermann was quoted as saying.