New Delhi: Three days after the United States sanctioned 19 Indian private firms and two Indian nationals for allegedly supporting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, India’s Ministry of External Affairs stated on Saturday that these companies had not violated Indian laws, media reports said.

The ministry added that New Delhi is engaging with U.S. authorities to address the concerns.

In a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the government is collaborating with relevant Indian departments and agencies to raise awareness among companies about applicable export control regulations, Indian Express reported.

“India has a robust legal and regulatory framework on strategic trade and non-proliferation controls. We are also a member of three key multilateral non-proliferation export control regimes — the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group (AG) and the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) — and have been effectively implementing relevant UNSC sanctions and UNSC Resolution 1540 on non-proliferation,” the official was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

“Our understanding is that the sanctioned companies are not in violation of Indian laws. Nevertheless, in keeping with India’s established non-proliferation credentials, we are working with all the relevant Indian departments and agencies to sensitize Indian companies on applicable export control provisions and also inform them of new measures being implemented that could impact Indian companies in certain circumstances…” he said.

The 19 companies and two Indian nationals were included in a list of “nearly 400 entities and individuals” from various countries targeted for sanctions.

This U.S. move comes amid strained bilateral relations, following allegations of an Indian national’s involvement in a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.

Pannun, who is a US-Canadian dual citizen of Indian origin, was designated as a terrorist by India in 2020 and extended the status for five years in July this year.
Last year he indirectly threatened to blow up an Air India plane flying on Nov 19 urging Sikhs not to fly on that day by the airline.

Pannun works as the general counsel for the New York-based Sikhs for Justice, which is banned in India. The group seeks to carve out an independent Khalistan state for Sikhs from India's state of Punjab.

Last week, the U.S. intensified its stance, stating it would only be "fully satisfied" if India’s investigations into the alleged failed plot resulted in “meaningful accountability.”

On Wednesday, while announcing the sanctions linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the State Department said: “The United States is today sanctioning nearly 400 entities and individuals for enabling Russia’s  prosecution of its illegal war. In this action, the Department of State is imposing sanctions on more than 120 individuals and entities. Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury is designating more than 270 individuals and entities. The Department of Commerce is also adding 40 entities to its Entity List.”