EU urges India to halt supply of banned goods to Russia for war

Finland’s ambassador to New Delhi Kimmo Lähdevirta said that Indian companies should not circumvent sanctions by supplying Russia with goods such as electronics that have commercial and military applications. It is the duty of a “responsible nation” to prevent Moscow from receiving these goods that could be used in its war against Ukraine.

Von der Leyen and other EU officials will also discuss India's wider market access and high tariffs on goods such as cars and wine as part of ongoing free trade agreement negotiations, an EU official told reporters earlier this week. The trip will last until February 28.

“The high tariffs in India certainly are a worry for the EU,” said Lähdevirta, adding that he sees positive dynamics in expanding trade. But a trade agreement is unlikely without a significant reduction in tariff and non-tariff barriers. Negotiations on the trade agreement resumed in 2022 after a nine-year break.

In October, EU and Indian sanctions representatives met to explore ways to prevent the supply of dual-use materials to Russia.

Russia is India's most important trading partner, serving as one of its largest sources of arms and crude oil. New Delhi has not condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, although it has advocated dialogue and diplomacy to end the war.

India and the EU are working together to address sanctions violations, a senior foreign ministry official told reporters at a briefing in New Delhi. India's Commerce Ministry is verifying the information provided by the EU.

India has become the second largest supplier of dual-use goods to Russia, in contrast to attempts to prevent these materials from entering Vladimir Putin's war machine. India is surpassed only by China.