For over half a decade, Indian internet users lived in a digital world without three of the most talked-about platforms globally, TikTok, AliExpress, and Shein. Their sudden exit in 2020, when the Indian government imposed a sweeping ban on over 50 Chinese apps citing data security and national interest, left a massive cultural and commercial gap.
Today, in 2025, the landscape is shifting once again. The much-anticipated return of TikTok, along with AliExpress and Shein, is making headlines. This comeback is not just about nostalgia, it’s about reshaping India’s digital culture, redefining e-commerce opportunities, and rewriting the rules of global internet participation for Indian users.
Let’s dive deep into why this return is significant, what it means for users, creators, and businesses, and how the Indian digital ecosystem may evolve in the coming years.
The Ban That Changed Everything
Back in June 2020, the Indian government announced a ban on TikTok and 58 other Chinese applications. Soon after, the list expanded to over 200 apps, including Shein and AliExpress. The official reasoning was national security and concerns about user data being potentially misused.
For TikTok, the ban came at the peak of its popularity in India. With over 200 million users and millions of creators building careers on the platform, TikTok was more than just an app, it was a cultural phenomenon. From viral dance challenges to regional content that democratized fame, TikTok had created a digital revolution for Indian creators outside the traditional Bollywood and metro-centric internet bubble.
Similarly, Shein had become the go-to fast-fashion brand for Indian youth, offering affordable, trendy clothes with a global flair. AliExpress, on the other hand, gave Indian buyers direct access to Chinese manufacturers, with its endless catalog of gadgets, home goods, and lifestyle products.
Their sudden disappearance created both an emotional and economic void. Competitors rushed in to fill the gap, Instagram Reels replaced TikTok for short videos, while Myntra, Ajio, and Meesho gained ground in fashion. Indian shoppers turned to Flipkart and Amazon instead of AliExpress. Yet, for many users, something always felt missing.
The Road to Their Return
The global internet economy has changed drastically since 2020. Regulatory environments have tightened, but at the same time, companies have become more cautious and collaborative in ensuring compliance with local laws.
Reports suggest that ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company), AliExpress, and Shein have worked extensively with Indian regulators to meet the necessary conditions for re-entry. This includes:
- Data localization: Ensuring that Indian user data stays within the country.
- Local partnerships: Collaborating with Indian companies and stakeholders to reduce dependency on cross-border control.
- Compliance frameworks: Building transparent systems around privacy, user protection, and content moderation.
For Shein, the path back into India has been more straightforward. The company had already partnered with Reliance Retail in 2023, enabling a partial return through collaborations and limited offerings. Now, with the green light for a full relaunch, Shein is expected to become a major competitor in the online fashion market again.
AliExpress, too, is believed to have set up compliance frameworks for smoother operations, while TikTok has restructured its business approach to regain user trust.
TikTok’s Second Chance in India
TikTok’s return is perhaps the most dramatic of the three. It faces both tremendous opportunity and daunting challenges.
Opportunities:
- India is still one of the largest untapped short-video markets in the world.
- Creators who once thrived on TikTok are eager to reclaim their audience.
- The platform can once again reach small towns and rural regions, where TikTok originally gained popularity by giving voice to non-urban creators.
Challenges:
- The dominance of Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts over the past five years.
- Rebuilding trust among users, many of whom may still have concerns about security.
- Adapting to a more competitive and regulation-heavy digital environment.
If TikTok manages to learn from its past and build stronger bonds with Indian creators while ensuring content safety, it could very well reclaim its former glory.
Shein’s Fashion Comeback
For fashion-conscious youth, Shein was more than just an e-commerce brand, it was a cultural identity. It brought affordable, trendy, and globally inspired styles into the wardrobes of millions of Indians.
In its absence, platforms like Myntra, Ajio, and Flipkart dominated, while homegrown fashion brands gained prominence. Yet, Shein’s unique positioning in fast fashion has remained unmatched.
Now, with its official comeback, Shein is expected to:
- Reintroduce its signature fast-fashion model, updated with sustainability initiatives.
- Compete directly with Myntra and Ajio for market dominance.
- Offer Indian consumers access to global styles at competitive prices.
For young shoppers, this is more than just a retail choice, it’s the return of a beloved brand that once shaped their fashion identity.
AliExpress and the E-Commerce Battle
AliExpress was once the marketplace for unique, low-cost products ranging from electronics to lifestyle gadgets. It gave Indian consumers direct access to global suppliers at a time when alternatives were limited.
However, the Indian e-commerce landscape has transformed in the last five years. Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho now dominate. Moreover, Indian startups have built niche marketplaces catering to specific consumer demands.
AliExpress will need to reinvent itself to stand out. This might mean focusing on affordability, offering rare global products not easily available in India, or creating stronger local delivery networks to reduce shipping delays.
If successful, AliExpress could once again become a key destination for bargain hunters and curious shoppers.
What This Means for Indian Creators, Businesses, and Consumers
The return of TikTok, Shein, and AliExpress is not just about nostalgia. It is a signal of India’s growing influence in the global digital economy. Here’s what it could mean for different groups:
For Creators
TikTok’s revival offers creators a chance to diversify their platforms. Many who shifted to Instagram and YouTube may now explore TikTok again for its unique algorithm that helps lesser-known creators go viral.
For Businesses
Indian brands may find new opportunities for partnerships, influencer marketing, and cross-border trade. Shein’s supply chain, in particular, could empower local fashion designers to reach wider audiences through collaborations.
For Consumers
Shoppers will have more choices, whether in fashion, entertainment, or e-commerce. Competition among platforms usually leads to better prices, improved features, and more innovation.
The Bigger Picture: India’s Digital Future
The return of these platforms reflects a broader truth, India is no longer just a market; it is a digital powerhouse that global companies cannot afford to ignore. With over 700 million internet users and rising, India represents both scale and diversity that few countries can match.
For the Indian government, the challenge will be balancing security concerns with the opportunities of globalization. For companies, the challenge will be to build trust and operate responsibly within India’s legal frameworks.
If done right, this comeback could mark the beginning of a new era in India’s digital journey, where global platforms and local innovation coexist, compete, and collaborate.
Conclusion
After five long years, TikTok, AliExpress, and Shein are back in India. Their return is not merely about reviving apps or websites, it is about reshaping the cultural, commercial, and digital landscape of the country.
TikTok has the power to once again democratize content creation. Shein is poised to redefine fast fashion for Indian youth. AliExpress could reestablish itself as the global marketplace for Indian buyers.
But the road ahead will not be simple. They must navigate tighter regulations, fierce competition, and the responsibility of winning back trust. For Indian consumers, however, this is an exciting moment, one that brings back beloved platforms while opening doors to new opportunities.
The digital world in India is about to get a lot more vibrant, diverse, and competitive. And this time, the comeback story may be bigger than the original.
