New Delhi: India has dismissed a report published by The New York Times that alleged Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) provided sensitive technology to a Russian defense agency. According to ANI, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has categorically rejected these claims, stating that HAL and other Indian entities strictly adhere to international obligations related to strategic trade controls and end-user commitments.
MEA Denies Allegations, Calls Report Misleading
The Ministry of External Affairs has called the report factually incorrect and misleading. The Indian government has urged media outlets to conduct thorough fact-checking before publishing such reports.
ANI quoted the MEA as saying, “India has stringent laws and regulations that govern the international trade of its companies. We expect reputed media houses to verify facts before making allegations, which, in this case, was not done.”
What Does the NYT Report Claim?
The report by The New York Times alleges that British aerospace manufacturer H.R. Smith Group supplied restricted equipment to an Indian company between 2023 and 2024. The report further claims that this Indian company was a major trading partner of Russia’s state-run arms agency, Rosoboronexport.
However, the report itself acknowledges that there is no concrete evidence confirming that the equipment supplied by the British company was directly transferred to Russia. It merely states that after receiving the equipment, the Indian company exported items with the same product code to Russia.
India Stands Firm on Compliance with International Regulations
Responding to the allegations, the MEA asserted that Indian companies, including HAL, fully comply with international trade restrictions and end-user commitments. The ministry emphasized that the report was an attempt to distort facts to serve a political agenda.
The MEA reiterated, “Indian organizations maintain the highest level of compliance with global trade norms. HAL and other Indian defense firms function within the framework of strict international and domestic regulations.”
India’s Strong Position on Defense Trade
India has been continuously strengthening its defense trade policies to ensure compliance with global non-proliferation and trade regulations. The country follows strict export control mechanisms and has established protocols for monitoring sensitive technology transfers.
As a major player in the global defense industry, India has also enhanced transparency in defense deals and collaborations with foreign partners. The government has reiterated its commitment to upholding strategic trade control measures and ensuring that defense-related exports are aligned with international commitments.
India’s outright rejection of The New York Times report underscores its firm stance on adherence to international defense trade regulations. The government has reiterated that allegations made in the report are baseless and misleading. With increasing scrutiny on global arms trade, India continues to emphasize its commitment to transparency and compliance in all its defense transactions.
