An Indian company supplied Russia with an explosive worth $1.4 million in December last year, according to Indian customs data, quoted by the „Reuters“ agency, News.bg reports.
The delivery was made despite US warnings that it would impose sanctions on any person or company supporting Russia's military efforts in Ukraine.
One of the Russian companies listed as the recipient of the explosive, known as HMX or octogen, is explosives manufacturer „Promsintez“. An official from the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said the company has ties to the Russian military. In April, Ukrainian drones attacked a Promsintez plant, the source added.
According to the Pentagon's Defense Technical Information Center, HMX is widely used in missile and torpedo warheads, rocket engines, explosive shells and advanced weapons systems. The compound is classified by the US government as "critical to Russia's military efforts", and Washington has repeatedly warned financial institutions not to facilitate such deals.
This is the first public announcement of a supply of HMX from India to a Russian company. In recent years, the Russian defense industry has worked intensively to support President Vladimir Putin's military operations in Ukraine.
While strengthening its ties with the US as a counterweight to China's growing influence, India has not abandoned its long-standing economic and military relations with Moscow. Trade between the two countries, particularly purchases of Russian oil, has remained robust despite Western efforts to isolate the Russian economy through sanctions.
In July, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened a 100 percent tariff on countries that continued to buy Russian crude. The U.S. Treasury Department has the authority to sanction companies selling HMX and similar substances to Russia, three experts on sanctions law said. HMX is classified as a “high explosive”, with a rapid detonation and designed for maximum destruction.
There is no evidence that the export of HMX violated Indian law. An Indian official familiar with the shipment said the substance had limited civilian uses as well as military ones.
The Indian Foreign Ministry commented:
“India exports dual-use items in accordance with its international non-proliferation commitments and on the basis of a robust legal and regulatory framework that includes a comprehensive assessment of each specific case.“
A US State Department spokesperson said Washington had repeatedly informed India of the risks of sanctions for cooperating with the Russian defense industry.
“India is a strategic partner with whom we have a frank dialogue, including on its relations with Russia. We have clearly stated that any company or financial institution that does business with the Russian military-industrial complex is at risk of sanctions,“ the spokesman stressed.
Advisor to the Ukrainian President Vladislav Vlasyuk also commented on the case:
“Although India is not among the main jurisdictions for circumventing sanctions, we are aware that individual cases may arise. We can confirm that the company 'Promsintez' has already come to our attention, including in connection with Indian partners.“