AliExpress makes a surprise return in India after 5 years: What we know so far

AliExpress

After years of being blocked in India, Chinese shopping site AliExpress has suddenly become accessible again. On Friday, several users noticed that they could open the website on both phones and computers, sparking a wave of chatter online. We also checked, the site does load in India.

The development is unexpected because AliExpress was among dozens of Chinese platforms banned by the Indian government back in 2020. That move followed the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley, which left 20 Indian soldiers dead. Soon after, apps like TikTok, UC Browser, and WeChat also disappeared from Indian digital space, with officials citing security and sovereignty concerns.

For now, only the website seems to be working. The AliExpress app is still missing from Indian app stores, and there’s been no official announcement on whether the ban has been rolled back. The uncertainty has left people guessing: is this just a temporary glitch, or the first step toward Chinese apps making a comeback?

Interestingly, TikTok’s web version was also reported to be accessible earlier in the day, though like AliExpress, its mobile app remains unavailable.

The timing of AliExpress’ return hasn’t gone unnoticed. India and China have recently signaled efforts to ease tensions. Beijing has said it will open its markets to Indian goods, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China later this month.

Whether the site’s reappearance is connected to diplomacy, or simply a technical loophole, remains unclear. For now, Indian users can once again browse AliExpress online but whether it stays this way is the big question.