In a significant move, the United States imposed sanctions on 19 Indian entities and two individuals on Wednesday, citing their alleged support of Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Treasury and State Departments, targeted nearly 400 entities and individuals from over a dozen countries, aiming to disrupt the supply of critical components used in Russian weapon systems.
Among the sanctioned Indian entities, Delhi-based Ascend Aviation India was flagged for supplying CHPL items and U.S.-origin aircraft parts to Russia. Futrevo, another India-based firm, was also sanctioned for allegedly aiding a Russian manufacturer in producing Orlan drones, which are reportedly deployed by Russia in the conflict.
Indian nationals Vivek Kumar Mishra and Sudhir Kumar, linked to these dealings, were individually sanctioned as well. This development comes amidst already strained India-U.S. relations, following recent accusations against Indian intelligence agency RAW. U.S. authorities have charged RAW officer Vikash Yadav in connection with a foiled assassination plot targeting Sikh activists, intensifying diplomatic friction.
Despite the gravity of the sanctions, India’s response has been unusually subdued. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, responded cautiously, emphasizing India’s commitment to strict non-proliferation policies. Jaiswal added that India would address the issue in discussions with U.S. counterparts, reflecting a restrained approach instead of the typically assertive stance on such matters.
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