US Imposes Sanctions on 4 Indian Firms for Supplies to Russia's Military Industry

WASHINGTON: The United States announced on Wednesday a new wave of sanctions targeting nearly 400 entities and individuals across Russia, India, China, and several other countries. The sanctions, implemented by the U.S. Treasury and State Departments are aimed at stopping the supply of products and services that help Russia evade sanctions or fuel its war efforts in Ukraine. These sanctions also include 4 Indian Firms who are supplying and helping Russia in war against Ukraine, as per Reuters. 

Focus on Third-Party Countries

This recent action focuses on “third-party countries” — nations accused of indirectly supporting Russia’s military operations. According to a U.S. State Department statement, these sanctions are part of a concerted effort to cut off materials and technology that support Russia’s military. The move follows a string of similar actions imposed on countries like India, China, and the United Arab Emirates, which the U.S. claims are contributing to the Kremlin’s war efforts by supplying essential items for its military-industrial base.

Indian Firms Implicated

Among the firms facing sanctions are four Indian companies, including Ascend Aviation India Private Limited, which reportedly shipped over 700 orders to Russian companies between March 2023 and March 2024. The shipments, valued at over $200,000, included U.S.-origin aircraft components, according to U.S. officials. Another Indian firm, Mask Trans, was noted for supplying over $300,000 worth of aviation parts to a Russian company, S7 Engineering LLC, designated by the U.S. as supporting Russian military needs.

TSMD Global Private Limited and Futrevo, two other India-based companies, were also sanctioned. TSMD Global was alleged to have sent electronic components worth $430,000 to Russian firms, while Futrevo reportedly supplied over $1.4 million in similar components to Russian defense companies involved in drone production. The U.S. emphasized that these shipments, including microelectronics and other high-priority items, were critical to Russia’s weapons development.

Broader Global Sanctions Target Key Sectors

The U.S. also imposed sanctions on entities from countries including China, Malaysia, Türkiye, and the UAE. The latest designations aim to halt the flow of high-priority items essential for Russia’s military, such as microelectronics and computer numerical control (CNC) components. The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) identified these items as necessary for Russia’s military operations, with suppliers from multiple countries allegedly continuing to provide these dual-use goods.

 Not the First Time US Imposes Sanctions on Indian Companies

This is not the first time Indian companies have been targeted for their involvement with Russia’s military-industrial base. In November 2023, Indian firm Si2 Microsystems was added to the U.S. ‘Entities List’ for supplying integrated circuits, a critical component in military systems, to Russian defense entities without the required licenses. U.S. officials highlighted that these recent sanctions represent a broader push to curb Russian access to such technology, emphasizing the ongoing challenges of controlling global supply chains and curtailing “sanctions evasion networks.”

U.S. Strategy Going Forward

The U.S. State Department stated that it would continue leveraging all available tools to prevent Russia from accessing resources that sustain its war efforts. According to the statement, the sanctions aim to block Russia’s channels for obtaining vital technology and equipment. These designations are part of an ongoing strategy to limit Russia’s access to international financial systems and reduce the Kremlin’s revenue, making it harder for Russia to sustain its military operations in Ukraine.

The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the European Union, United Kingdom, and Japan to tighten export controls on dual-use goods, ensuring they do not indirectly support Russia’s military goals.

With Inputs from Agencies