Mon Feb 03 15:40:00 IST 2025: ## Shein Returns to India After Five-Year Ban, Partnering with Reliance Retail

**NEW DELHI** – Fast fashion giant Shein has relaunched its app in India five years after a government ban, marking a significant exception to India’s broader crackdown on Chinese apps. The relaunch comes through a strategic partnership with Reliance Retail, the retail arm of Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani.

According to an unnamed Reliance Retail official, the companies have entered a long-term licensing agreement. Shein will sell products manufactured and sourced within India through the app, which was downloaded over 10,000 times within days of its Friday launch. The app currently offers clothing at prices as low as ₹199 ($2.30) and is initially delivering to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, with plans for nationwide expansion.

The Indian government imposed strict conditions for Shein’s return, addressing previous data security concerns. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that all data will be stored within India, with Shein having no access rights. Goyal emphasized that the ban targeted the app, not Shein products themselves. The partnership will see Shein act as a technology partner, while Reliance Retail maintains complete control over operations and data. Shein will also leverage India as a manufacturing and supply source for its global operations, supporting Reliance Retail in developing the Indian textile and garment manufacturing sector and promoting exports.

Shein’s initial success in India, prior to the 2020 ban, was driven by its affordable, trendy designs. The ban, implemented alongside restrictions on dozens of other Chinese apps, including TikTok, followed heightened tensions between India and China. Experts suggest this partnership allows Reliance Retail to diversify its online retail strategy, moving beyond its existing focus on international brands through its Ajio platform. While the ban on other Chinese apps remains in place, Shein’s return under these stringent conditions represents a unique case.

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