US Imposes Sanctions on Indian Companies for Alleged Support of Russia
NEW DELHI: The diplomatic relationship between India and the United States has encountered further challenges as the US government has included 19 Indian companies and two Indian nationals in a sanctions list that comprises nearly 400 entities. The sanctions are based on allegations that these companies have provided assistance to Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
This development follows the recent naming of an Indian official in connection with a purported plot to carry out a murder-for-hire targeting Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, highlighting the already strained ties between the two nations. The latest sanctions are expected to exacerbate the existing tensions.
The US State Department announced the sanctions, indicating they are directly linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The list includes companies not only from India but also from countries such as Malaysia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Singapore, and the UAE.
Among the Indian firms named, Ascend Aviation India Private Limited has been specifically identified. The US alleges that this company facilitated over 700 shipments to Russian entities between March 2023 and March 2024. The shipments are said to have included items valued at over $200,000, including aircraft components categorized as Common High Priority List (CHPL) items.
The two individuals named in the sanctions are co-directors of Ascend Aviation, Vivek Kumar Mishra and Sudhir Kumar. Other Indian companies included in the sanctions list are Mask Trans, TSMD Global, Elektron Komponent, and Futrevo.
According to the US State Department, these sanctions aim to disrupt evasion tactics and target entities in several countries, including China, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, and the UAE, that are allegedly selling dual-use goods to Russia. These goods are crucial for Russia’s military efforts in the war against Ukraine.
The sanctioned products encompass microelectronics and computer numerical control (CNC) items, as identified by the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), in collaboration with the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
The State Department emphasized its commitment to utilizing all available measures to undermine support for Russia’s military-industrial base, aiming to restrict the Kremlin’s capacity to exploit international financial systems and generate revenue for its war efforts in Ukraine. The department’s objective is to disrupt the networks through which Russia acquires technology and equipment from third-party nations to sustain its military operations.
