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The United States imposed sanctions on 19 Indian firms and two Indian nationals on Wednesday, alleging their involvement in aiding Russia’s military activities in Ukraine by providing essential materials and technology.
The sanctions, part of a larger action involving nearly 400 entities and individuals globally, come at a sensitive time as US-India relations are already strained over the alleged involvement of an Indian national in an assassination plot targeting Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
While announcing the sanctions linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the State Department said, “The United States is today sanctioning nearly 400 entities and individuals for enabling Russia’s prosecution of its illegal war. In this action, the Department of State is imposing sanctions on more than 120 individuals and entities. Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury is designating more than 270 individuals and entities. The Department of Commerce is also adding 40 entities to its Entity List.”
In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasised the sanctions’ intent “to curtail the sale of various items and other important dual-use goods,” which Russia reportedly relies on to sustain its war against Ukraine.
The US move affects entities and individuals across multiple countries, including China, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, and now India, specifically targeting companies for allegedly supplying Russia with critical components, such as microelectronics, that are used in weapon systems.
“The United States will continue to use all tools at its disposal to disrupt support for Russia’s military-industrial base,” the statement further read.
Among the sanctioned Indian entities, four companies were highlighted for specific transactions. Ascend Aviation India, according to US authorities, allegedly shipped over 700 items worth over $200,000 in US-origin aircraft components to Russian companies between March 2023 and March 2024. The firm’s directors, Vivek Kumar Mishra and Sudhir Kumar, were also named in the sanctions.
Another company, Mask Trans, is accused of supplying aviation components worth over $300,000 to Russia’s S7 Engineering LLC, a US-designated company, between June 2023 and April 2024.
The State Department further sanctioned TSMD Global and Futrevo, citing transactions of high-priority electronic items, including microelectronics and processors, worth substantial amounts to Russian entities linked to the defense sector.
This latest move is not the first instance of Indian firms being sanctioned. In November 2023, Si2 Microsystems, another Indian firm, was placed on a restricted list for supplying banned US-origin integrated circuits to Russian military end-users.
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti had warned Indian companies earlier this year that violating sanctions could jeopardise their international business relationships.
“Any Indian company that violates global sanctions against Russia will have to be aware of the consequences,” Garcetti said in June.
The sanctions come amid heightened US-India tensions following allegations that an Indian national plotted to assassinate Pannun, an Indian-origin US and Canadian citizen advocating for an independent Sikh state. The US has demanded “meaningful accountability” from India in connection with the alleged plot.
Additionally, the sanctions have attracted criticism for perceived double standards in US foreign policy. Critics argue that while Washington penalises firms accused of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine, it simultaneously continues substantial arms support to Israel amid its military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
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