New Delhi, December 28
India today termed as unjustified the US decision to impose sanctions on its two firms for supplying some chemicals to Iran, asserting that the transfer did not violate Indian regulations or its international obligations.
The sanctions imposed by the US government on two Indian firms — Sabero Organics Gujarat Limited and Sandhya Organics Limited — under the US Iran Proliferation Act, 2000 relate to transfer of some chemicals, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters here.
“Our preliminary assessment is that the transfer of such chemicals is not in violation of our regulations or our international obligations,” he said.
Sarna said the imposition of sanctions by the USA on Indian firms, “which in our view have not acted in violation of our laws or regulations, is not justified.”
The spokesman emphasised that India’s commitment to prevent onward proliferation is second to none.
“We have instituted a rigorous system of export controls and our track record in this regard was well known,” he said, adding India was working with international community including with the US as a partner against proliferation.
A US media report yesterday said that the two Indian chemical companies along with six Chinese Government-run firms and an Austrian would soon be sanctioned by the Bush Administration for allegedly selling missile goods and chemical arms materials to Iran.
— PTI
