India’s information and broadcasting ministry is to mount a technological upgrade of broadcast infrastructure on the Indo-China border, reports Hindustan Times.

Alarmed by the streaming of Chinese radio and television content into Indian homes along their extensive border, India’s security establishment has planned a US$562 million (Rs. 35 billion) fund to ramp up border transmission facilities by state-owned broadcasters.

For six hours every day, the Chinese have been broadcasting a mix of programmes from stations based in Nepal, warmly greeting Indian listeners in areas with weak Indian signals.

Three years ago the state-run China Radio International (CRI) was given permission to rebroadcast its programmes across Nepal, as a part of China’s growing engagement with its neighbour.

According to Hindustan Times, by upgrading its broadcast facilities on the border, India aims to retain its clout with Nepal, a steadfast Indian ally, with free trade totaling nearly $2 billion.