India has refuted a report of The New York Times (NYT) linking an Indian company to a Russian agency. On March 28, the NYT published an article accusing British aerospace manufacturer HR Smith Group of shipping – via Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (An Indian government defence company) – nearly $2 million in transmitters, cockpit equipment, and other sensitive tech. This tech is considered by the British and Americans as the kind of tech that they believe cannot be sold to Russia in the wake of the Ukraine war. The narrative attacks Russia and Putin as well as accusing India for having trade ties with Moscow.
The Indian government controlled defence company in question, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in that period, reportedly made 13 shipments of the same parts to Rosoboroneexport, a Russian arms agency blacklisted by the US and the UK. These shipments were worth over $14 million. Rosoboroneexport is reportedly one of HAL’s biggest trading partners.
Spreading Misinformation
The US media which is largely left controlled has been driving a relentless narrative against Russia and Putin over the years, especially since the Ukraine-Russia war broke out. The narrative here seeks to push Putin into a corner while isolating his nation from global economics. However, this has been a complete failure as the Russian economy remains strong and Putin has not been abandoned by his allies.
India has a very deep and strong relationship with Moscow and has continuously maintained its stance that it will maintain its trade and economic relations with Russia.
Indian sources maintain that the report was “factually incorrect and misleading”, and it tries to “frame issues and distort facts to suit a political narrative”. According to sources, “The Indian entity mentioned in the report has scrupulously followed all international obligations on strategic trade controls and end-user commitments.” Secondly India has maintained that it will not adhere to diktats sent out by the US or any other nation.
Third, India knows how to uphold International law and do business according to the regulatory framework. India does not believe in unilateral sanctions. Rather, it believes in collectiveness according to organisational set-up. “India’s robust legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade continues to guide overseas commercial ventures by its companies,” the source said.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, or HAL, has not yet responded.
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UK’s Reform Party targeted
The report is totally misleading and a politically motivated attack on Putin, Modi, Russia and India, as usual. Apart from its usual targets the reports seems to also be targeting Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, a popular right-wing party in the UK, because according to reports HR Smith Group funds the UK Reform Party.
The New York Times has been spreading narratives and misinformation since its inception. Let’s suppose that, for a second, the companies have sold that equipment to Russia. So what? How can a US media portal dictate bilateral trade. States are independent actors in International politics, and they are free to do trade, engagements and investments.
On the other hand the Western mouthpieces had built a similar narrative when India conducted oil trade with Russia. It was in fact later revealed that the West had been buying the same oil from India. Russia has been in Crimea since 2014 however the Western nations had been buying Russian oil and gas through Nord Pipeline. The US is already taking a gas and oil deal with Russian state company Gazprom. So how was it justified when Europe or the US does business with Russia, and how is it wrong for India or other nations to do so? It seems the West still believes that there is one rule for itself and another for anyone else.
