India denounces fresh US and EU sanctions against senior Russian officials

NEW DELHI: India has denounced the latest round of sanctions that are targeted against senior Russian officials and described sanctions as ineffectual in international diplomacy to address differences.

Within days of fresh round of sanctions against some Russian officials, Delhi voiced reservations against the US and EU move.

“India never considers sanctions as an effective tool to settle differences between nations. We have always opposed sanctions imposed against any country, as we believe that such actions do not yield any result. We have opposed the fresh round of sanctions through the Brazil-India-Russia-China-South Africa ( BRICS) forum. We advocate dialogue as a means to resolve such differences,” a senior South Block official told ET.

Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh was in Moscow recently where she discussed the Ukraine crisis and the issue of sanctions threadbare with the Russians, the official said, adding Singh also had the opportunity to discuss the emerging situation with the academia and members of the think-tank community.

The official said India is keeping a close watch on whether various sectors of Russia are targeted in the next stage since this could impact trade ties between Delhi and Moscow.

Among the individuals targeted by the new sanctions are Russian deputy premier Dmitry Kozak, chief of staff of the armed forces Valery Gerasimov, and head of the Russian military intelligence agency lieutenant general Igor Sergu.

The addition of 15 new names to the European Union’s sanction list brings to 48 the number of Russian individuals targeted by EU travel bans and asset freezes, with politicians and military figures comprising the bulk of senior figures targeted. On Monday, the White House announced an expansion of its sanction list to include seven Russian government officials and 17 companies with links to Vladamir Putin.

India had earlier stated that that it will not support any Western sanctions against its ally Russia with whom it shares a special relationship. India also recognises the “legitimate” interests of Russia in Ukraine. Officials indicated that Delhi would back its old ally if it has to choose between the West and Russia. Delhi abstained in an UN General Assembly vote on the Crimean issue.