NSE, BSE Restrict Foreign Individuals From Accessing Exchange Websites
To be sure, a restriction on accessing the exchange websites does not affect trading activity.
National Stock Exchange of India and BSE Ltd. have restricted website access for international users, two people aware of the matter told NDTV Profit on the condition of anonymity. The decision follows discussions between exchange representatives and Securities and Exchange Board of India officials.
The restriction of website usage for overseas users comes amid a heightened threat of cyber and digital attacks, one of the people cited above said. Authorities are prioritising the security of market infrastructure, and the move aims to safeguard trading systems from potential external disruptions, the second person added.
To be sure, a restriction on accessing the exchange websites does not affect trading activity. Market participants with existing trading accounts will continue operations without interruption, the second person said. The directive focuses solely on website access, not the underlying trading platforms.
Individual overseas users requiring website access can contact the exchanges directly, the first person clarified. Exchanges will consider requests to remove restrictions on specific IP addresses. This provision allows legitimate international investors and stakeholders to maintain necessary access.
Reuters was the first to report on the websites being inaccessible for overseas users.
NDTV Profit has reached out to both NSE and BSE for comments on the story.
The exchanges have not issued detailed statements regarding the duration of these restrictions. This move follows Operation Sindoor, a move by the Indian Armed Forces to hit terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Ministry of Defence said that, altogether, nine sites were targeted, further adding that its actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature.
Both NSE and BSE announced their March quarter earnings on Tuesday. While BSE's profit rose despite headwinds, NSE saw its profit fall 31% on lower volumes.
