- WIADOMOŚCI
India becomes a sanctions corridor for Russia
Around 50,000 sensitive or dual-use products have reached Russia through Indian supply chains since February 2022. The case shows that Moscow continues to adapt to Western restrictions by redirecting trade through third countries and exploiting increasingly complex industrial networks.
Politico reports that Russian defence and security companies continue to import European-made electronics, machinery, precision instruments and advanced electrical components through India. The investigation indicates that some products may also be assembled there before being exported to Russia as finished goods.
The increase is significant. Compared with the three years preceding the war, exports routed through India rose by 180 per cent for British-origin products, 455 per cent for Swedish goods, 131 per cent for Swiss products and 98 per cent for French-origin equipment. One documented case involved French carbon fibre delivered to a company linked to the Russian military-industrial complex.
On the one hand, India is becoming an increasingly important industrial and commercial partner for Europe. On the other, the same supply chains are helping Russia circumvent sanctions. The problem is therefore no longer limited to direct exports, but includes intermediaries, end users and the actual destination of dual-use technologies.
Russia is once again demonstrating that it can adapt faster than the sanctions system. Without stronger end-use controls and closer monitoring of re-exports, European technology will continue to reach the Russian defence industry despite formal restrictions. I, personally, believe that all those European sanctions simply do not work.
