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The recent decision by the United States to impose sanctions on 19 Indian entities for allegedly providing “dual-use” technologies to Russia has sparked a wave of international scrutiny and left India conspicuously silent. The U.S. Treasury Department, citing these companies as “Third-Country Sanctions Evaders”, acted as part of a broader sanctions package targeting nearly 400 companies and individuals across 17 countries. This move, the largest single action taken by the U.S. against Russia-linked Indian companies, has raised eyebrows and left observers questioning India’s response.
Despite repeated requests for comment, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has remained tight-lipped on the matter, fueling speculation about the government’s stance on the sanctions. The silence extends beyond official statements, as officials have also declined to confirm whether the sanctions were discussed in a phone call between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his U.S. counterpart, Jake Sullivan. While the White House readout of the call highlighted “regional security developments” and a shared commitment to Indo-Pacific stability, it made no mention of the U.S. sanctions on Indian companies.
India’s reluctance to address the sanctions directly may stem from its long-held stance of not recognizing unilateral sanctions. The Modi government has previously adopted this approach in response to similar U.S. sanctions targeting Indian entities linked to Russia and Iran since 2022. The current situation underscores India’s delicate balancing act between its close ties with the U.S. and its strategic partnership with Russia, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The U.S. sanctions, while aimed at pressuring Russia, have inadvertently placed India in a challenging position, forcing it to navigate a complex web of international relations and geopolitical pressures.
The timing of the U.S. sanctions also adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The announcement came just days after India and China announced their disengagement from the last two disputed border points on the Line of Actual Control, signaling a potential thawing in relations after years of tension. This development, coupled with escalating tensions between India and Canada over the Nijjar killing case, highlights the multifaceted challenges India faces on its diplomatic front. The allegations against India, leveled by Canadian authorities, have been dismissed by India as “preposterous” and motivated by “vote-bank politics”, but have nonetheless strained relations between the two countries.
The U.S. government, while expressing “concern” over the Canadian allegations, has pledged to “continue to consult with the Canadian government about those allegations.” This position leaves room for future diplomatic maneuvers, potentially influencing India’s approach to the U.S. sanctions. The evolving situation further underlines the complexity of the geopolitical landscape, as countries grapple with competing interests and shifting alliances. In the midst of these developments, India’s silence on the U.S. sanctions serves as a reminder of the delicate balancing act it must undertake in its foreign policy decisions.
The saga surrounding the U.S. sanctions and India’s response is likely to unfold further, with implications reaching far beyond the immediate economic and diplomatic considerations. The interplay between strategic partnerships, international alliances, and national interests in this complex scenario promises to shape the future of international relations and the global power dynamics for years to come. As India navigates this complex landscape, the world will be watching closely to see how it chooses to respond to the challenges and opportunities presented by its evolving geopolitical landscape.
Source: India silent after U.S. sanctions 19 Indian entities for ‘Russia links’