India remains silent after US sanctions 19 Indian entities over ‘Russia links’

Officials did not comment on whether the issue was discussed in a phone call between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his US counterpart, Jake Sullivan. File | Photo credit: PTI

India has not directly responded to the US decision to sanction 19 Indian entities for supplying “dual-use” technologies to Russia.

They called them ‘third country sanctions evaders’ The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on nearly 400 companies on Wednesday (October 30, 2024). and individuals from 17 countries. However, on Friday (November 1, 2024), India’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment after several requests for a response to the sanctions imposed by the US on the largest number of Indian companies in a single action against Russia.

Officials also did not comment on whether the issue was discussed in a phone call between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his US counterpart, Jake Sullivan, on Thursday (October 31, 2024).

A US White House readout said the two advisers “discussed regional security developments, underscoring the need for further efforts to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region and globally,” but made no mention of the US action against companies affiliated with Russia. in India.

Closer cooperation

“They also discussed further opportunities for enhanced cooperation in key areas, including clean energy supply chains and defense cooperation,” the lecture added, highlighting “progress in the bilateral partnership” through the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology they launched (iCET). in 2023.

The Modi government has so far not responded to the US Treasury’s sanctions on a number of Indian entities over ties with Russia and Iran since 2022, stating only that India “does not recognize unilateral sanctions.” According to the US Treasury Department, the US will now freeze all property of the sanctioned companies and owners in the United States and ban all transactions by US citizens with them.

“The United States and our allies will continue to take decisive action around the world to stem the flow of critical tools and technologies that Russia needs to wage its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine,” said Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo . this week’s sanctions.

The phone call between the two NSAs, which followed the announcement, came days after India and China announced they had withdrawn from the last two pending friction points on the Line of Actual Control, indicating that ties would be resumed after four years of military deadlock had thawed. . The NSAs spoke amid escalating tensionsns between India and Canada over the murder of Nijjar case, and recent allegations thereof Home Minister Amit Shah had led the killing of Canadian Khalistani activist in 2023. In details, Canadian officials admitted to leaking TheWashingtonpostthey said their findings were shared with Mr Doval at a meeting of Indian and Canadian intelligence officials in Singapore in October 2024.

When asked, the US State Department spokesperson said the allegations, made by the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Deputy Minister of State in public comments, were unfounded. “Re”and the U.S. government would “continue to consult with the Canadian government regarding these allegations.”

The State Department has so far not commented on Canada’s latest allegations or the US statement of “concerns”, although it has repeatedly dismissed Canada’s case against India as “ridiculous” and motivated by “vote bank politics”. It is unclear whether Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Doval also discussed the findings of a “high-level” investigative panel set up by India to investigate U.S. allegations that Indian government officials were involved in ordering the killing of the American Khalistani activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.