EaseMyTrip’s Nishant Pitti Escalates Claims of Chinese Influence on MakeMyTrip Board

EaseMyTrip Founder Nishant Pitti intensified his accusations against rival MakeMyTrip, alleging that five of its ten board directors have direct ties to China, posing national security risks.

In a Friday X post, Pitti claimed three of MakeMyTrip’s four strategic board committees are “led or significantly influenced by directors with clear Chinese affiliations,” particularly linked to Trip.com, a Chinese-owned entity. “When national security is at stake, silence is not an option,” he stated, sharing screenshots to support his allegations.

Pitti dismissed MakeMyTrip’s recent board reshuffle on May 14, 2025, as a “cosmetic change” that fails to address “deep-rooted Chinese-backed influence.”

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He reiterated concerns from a Wednesday post, alleging that MakeMyTrip, “majorly owned by China,” compromises Indian Armed Forces’ data by collecting Defence IDs, routes, and dates, exposing soldiers’ movements. MakeMyTrip refuted the claims, asserting it is an Indian company compliant with all laws and data privacy frameworks, but declined to comment on Pitti’s latest allegations.

The controversy follows EaseMyTrip’s broader push against foreign affiliations, including its boycott of Turkiye and Azerbaijan for supporting Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

While Pitti’s claims leverage nationalist sentiment, critics note EaseMyTrip’s silence on its own past partnerships with Chinese firms like Ctrip, suggesting competitive motives. MakeMyTrip’s board includes directors with global affiliations, but Trip.com’s 49% stake, acquired in 2019, fuels scrutiny amid India-China tensions. The allegations, unverified by regulators, risk escalating corporate rivalry into a geopolitical flashpoint.

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