New Delhi: India has objected to the ‘unjustified’ US sanctions on two Indian companies for transferring chemicals to Iran and asserted that New Delhi's commitment to non-proliferation was ‘second to none’.
India also clarified that the two Indian companies, Balaji Amines and Prachi Poly Products, on which the US imposed sanctions a week ago, transferred chemicals to Iran and not "dual-use items related to missiles", as alleged by Washington.
"The imposition of sanctions by the US on our firms, which in our view have not acted in violation of our laws or regulations, is not justified," external affairs ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna said.
The Bush administration had imposed sanctions on two Indian firms for allegedly transferring "missile-related" items with Iran last month under terms of the US Iran-Syria Non-proliferation Act
"Our preliminary assessment is that the transfer of such chemicals was not in violation of our regulations or our international obligations," the spokesperson said.
Underlining India's record in non-proliferation, the spokesperson asserted that New Delhi's "commitment to prevent onward proliferation is second to none" and referred to "a rigorous system of export controls" constituted by India to prevent the transfer of sensitive technologies.
"We have instituted a rigorous system of export controls and our track record in this regard is well known. India is working with the international community including with the US as a partner against proliferation," Sarna stressed.
The US administration is mandated by the law to report violations of the act to Congress every six months. The decision to impose sanctions became public around the same time the House of Representatives passed the legislation to approve the India-US civil nuclear deal last month.
While the US has not specified the nature of sanctions to be imposed, going by precedents sanctioned companies are barred from receiving US government contracts, assistance or military trade as well as certain dual-use items.
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