Huawei File photo:VCG
 

In response to media reports claiming Huawei will slash revenue and personnel in India, Huawei told the Global Times in a statement on Tuesday that it does not comment on "market speculation," adding that it will continue to "work closely with all customers in India."

The firm also reiterated its commitment to the Indian market, noting that it has been a part of the Indian ICT ecosystem for the past 20 years and is focused on building a better connected India.

The response came after the Economic Times reported Huawei had cut its India revenue target for 2020 by up to 50 percent and that it is laying off more than half of its staff in the country.

"Our India operations and resources, backed by robust local talent, are designed to meet any customer requirements," said Huawei.

Reuters reported on Monday that "Huawei's India unit said the report suggesting layoffs of more than half of Huawei staff in the country was untrue, but did not elaborate."

The Chinese firm has become one of the major targets of strained China-India economic ties, as anti-China sentiment has been promoted in India over recent months.

The Indian government has reportedly identified at least seven Chinese companies operating in India "with alleged direct or indirect links to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) along with Chinese venture capital investments in India, including 'big names,' where the benefits of civilian innovation are suspected to be used for China's defense sector," local media reported previously.

Huawei, Alibaba and Tencent are among the seven companies listed.

59 Chinese apps have been banned in the country, and the Indian government has asked two state-run telecoms firms to use locally made rather than Chinese telecoms equipment to upgrade their mobile networks to 4G.