The West is worried about India’s role in supplying sanctioned goods to Russia — Bloomberg

India, according to European and American officials, has become the second largest supplier of critical technologies to Russia after China, despite Western sanctions against Moscow for its war against Ukraine.

Bloomberg published this information citing its sources, claiming that the exports of sanctioned goods, such as chips and machine tools, from India to Russia exceeded $60 million in April–May 2024. This is about twice as much as in the previous months of the year.

In July, exports jumped to $95 million, second only to China, Bloomberg notes. In general, Russia receives about one-fifth of its secret technologies for its military-industrial complex through India. Technologies used for weapons production help Putin’s regime war efforts.

The agency’s interlocutors point out that Indian officials rarely respond to questions about Russian assistance when Western ambassadors request it.

Due to India’s role as a transit country for sanctioned goods bound for Russia, officials from the European Union and the United States have repeatedly visited the country in recent months.

Earlier this year, the US State Department expressed concern about India’s cooperation with Russia in the military and technology sectors, as well as about the establishment of their bilateral relations in general.

A State Department official expressed concern about the exchange of classified technologies with India, given New Delhi’s significant military and technological partnerships with Moscow.

Last week, India and the United States unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation in semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and space defense.

Following the talks, both countries pledged to prevent the unauthorized transfer of sensitive and dual-use technologies to “countries of concern,” according to a statement.

In February, the US State Department approved the potential sale of 31 MQ-9B SkyGuardian strike drones, related missiles, and equipment to India for nearly $4 billion.

In June, the Group of Seven countries announced that they would continue to take action against entities in China and third countries that support the Russian military machine in its war of aggression against Ukraine.