5 out of 10 MakeMyTrip directors have 'direct ties to China': EaseMyTrip founder

IANS May 16, 2025 213 views

Nishant Pitti, EaseMyTrip's founder, has raised concerns about the influence of Chinese ties on MakeMyTrip's board of directors. He claims that the majority of MakeMyTrip's board committees are led or influenced by individuals with direct affiliations to China, potentially compromising national security. In response, MakeMyTrip has brushed off these allegations as being motivated. The allegations come amid increased travel cancellations to Turkey and Azerbaijan from both EaseMyTrip and MakeMyTrip platforms following geopolitical tensions.

"When national security is at stake, silence is not an option." - Nishant Pitti
New Delhi, May 16: EaseMyTrip Founder Nishant Pitti on Friday accused rival online travel and hospitality major MakeMyTrip of putting the travel data of Indian Armed Forces personnel into danger, alleging that "half of MakeMyTrip's board -- five out of 10 directors have direct ties to China, including pivotal appointments by Trip.com, a company with Chinese ownership".

Key Points

1

Nishant Pitti accuses MakeMyTrip's board of being influenced by China

2

Concerns raised about Indian Armed Forces' travel data security

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MakeMyTrip dismisses accusations as motivated

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EaseMyTrip reports travel cancellations to Turkey and Azerbaijan

According to Pitti, "three of the four most strategic board committees (at MakeMyTrip) are either led or significantly influenced by directors with clear Chinese affiliations, giving them disproportionate sway over critical decisions".

"MakeMyTrip may dismiss this as a ‘motivated accusation’ but when national security is at stake, silence is not an option,” he said in a statement.

"The appointment of a new director on 14 May 2025 changes little. A single board reshuffle cannot mask the deep-rooted structure of Chinese-backed influence that continues to shape the board and committee dynamics," the EaseMyTrip founder further mentioned.

Pitti had earlier shared on social media platform X that "Indian Armed Forces book discounted tickets via a platform majorly owned by China, entering Defence ID, route & date. Our enemies know where our soldiers are flying".

He also attached screenshots of the MakeMyTrip platform, showing that army officials get a special fare, to avail of which they have to provide their defence ID. "Attaching screenshots exposing this loophole - it must be patched now," he added.

MakeMyTrip has dismissed the allegations as a "motivated accusation".

Meanwhile, MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip have reported mass cancellations and a sharp drop in Indian tourists wanting to travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan due to their anti-India stand during Operation Sindoor.

Pitti said the company’s portal has seen a 22 per cent cancellation of trips by tourists to Turkey and more than 30 per cent cancellations to Azerbaijan. He urged travellers to avoid visiting Turkey and Azerbaijan due to their open support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

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Tags:
MakeMyTrip Nishant Pitti EaseMyTrip China Indian Armed Forces Online Travel National Security