India Denies Allegations Of Indian Firm Supplying Equipment To Russia

NEW DELHI, (ANI) – A report by The New York Times has alleged that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited may have been involved in selling imported equipment to a Russian arms supplier. The report claims that between 2023 and 2024, a company under the British aerospace manufacturer H.R. Smith Group shipped equipment to an Indian firm, allegedly the biggest trading partner of Russia’s arms agency, Rosoboronexport.

It also states that Techtest sold restricted technology to India in February 2024, and shortly thereafter, Hindustan Aeronautics allegedly sold similar equipment to a buyer linked to Rosoboronexport.

However, the report itself admits that records do not prove H.R. Smith’s products ended up in Russia, only that the Indian company received equipment from H.R. Smith and, days later, sent parts to Russia with identical product codes.

Sources have refuted the claims, calling the report “factually incorrect and misleading.” They argue that it distorts facts to fit a political narrative and emphasize that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has strictly adhered to international obligations regarding strategic trade controls.

Furthermore, they underscore India’s robust legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade, which continues to govern overseas commercial ventures by its companies. The sources also highlighted that India’s membership in three key multilateral non-proliferation export control regimes reinforces its commitment to global trade regulations.

As debates around international defense transactions persist, India’s strategic trade policies remain under scrutiny, but officials assert that all dealings are in compliance with international norms and regulations.