The Chinese fast fashion platform Shein started in India through a partnership with the retail chain of the local conglomerate reliance, almost five years after being banned amid diplomatic tension between New Delhi and Beijing.

The new Shein India Fast Fashion app, developed and launched by billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Retail, is the significant return to one of the largest retail markets in Asia before the Chinese firm’s long-awaited listing later this year.

The revival of the app comes under strict conditions that give Reliance complete control over operations and data. Under the partnership structure – recently released by the Indian Ministry of Trade – Shein will only function as a technology partner, with Reliance retaining the full ownership of the platform through its subsidiary. The arrangement requires all customer data to be stored in India, with Shein having no access rights.

For Reliance, the partnership is a departure from its traditional strategy to include brands – such as Japan’s Muji – in its flagship Ajio -Mode –App. Shein’s addition to the portfolio of Reliance’s India is to give the local conglomerate a stronger chance to effect e-commerce.

Although Reliance operates the largest country’s largest retail chain – and also the country’s top telecommunications operator – he struggled to fight Flipkart, Amazon, Most Ho and a growing number of fast trading companies on online sales. Flipkart, which leads the e-commerce market in India, has an even stronger hold in fashion e-trading. Mining tra, owned by Flipkart, recently started delivering a few orders under 30 minutes.

Shein initially offers delivery in certain cities, including New -Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, and plans to expand it over India soon, according to the app description. The company does not charge delivery fee on any order. Products contain dresses priced from 199 rupees ($ 2.3), with all items designed and manufactured by local manufacturers in India.

The agreement is a rare exception to the ban on India on Chinese apps, which has affected more than 300 platforms since 2020. To obtain approval, Shein agreed to unprecedented supervisory measures, including regular security audits by cyber security firms approved by the government.

Trade Minister Piyush Goyal recently said that the approval process involves extensive selection by various ministries, including IT and Home Affairs. The arrangement aims to boost India’s textile manufacturing sector, while maintaining the strict sovereignty of the data, he said.