A public spat has erupted between two major Indian online travel companies—EaseMyTrip and MakeMyTrip—over allegations related to data security and foreign ownership. EaseMyTrip’s co-founder, Nishant Pitti, accused MakeMyTrip of posing a national security threat due to its significant Chinese ownership. He raised concerns about the possibility of sensitive information, especially related to travel by Indian defence personnel, being exposed through bookings made on MakeMyTrip.
In response, MakeMyTrip dismissed these claims as “motivated accusations,” asserting that they are misleading and politically charged. The company clarified that it was founded by Indians, is headquartered in India, and is run by an Indian leadership team. Although it is publicly listed on the Nasdaq and has a global investor base, MakeMyTrip assured that all its operations comply with Indian laws and follow robust data protection standards.
This clash reflects the rising competitive pressure in India’s booming online travel sector. It also reignites broader concerns about the role of foreign investment, especially Chinese, in companies handling potentially sensitive data. As nationalistic sentiments grow stronger, such accusations are increasingly being used as leverage in business rivalries, pushing companies to publicly assert their credibility, data integrity, and Indian identity.
