US lifts sanctions on four Indian companies linked to Russia-related measures

New Delhi: The United States has lifted sanctions on four Indian companies that were previously accused of supporting Russia's military-industrial base, marking a significant development in Washington's sanctions policy related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The decision was announced by the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as part of its latest update to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List.

The four Indian companies removed from the sanctions list are:

• RRG Engineering Technologies Private Limited (Hyderabad)

• Lokesh Machines Limited (Hyderabad)

• Galaxy Bearings Ltd (Ahmedabad)

• Shaurya Aeronautics Private Limited (New Delhi)

The companies had been sanctioned in 2024 under Executive Order 14024, a US measure targeting individuals and entities alleged to have provided financial, material or technological support to the Russian government and its military-industrial complex following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. At the time, the US had imposed sanctions on 21 Indian entities, including 19 companies and two individuals, over their alleged involvement in facilitating trade with Russia.

The latest delisting means the four companies are no longer subject to restrictions under the US sanctions programme. However, the Treasury Department has not publicly explained why the entities were removed from the SDN List, nor has it indicated whether the companies successfully challenged the sanctions or met compliance requirements.

The announcement formed part of a broader OFAC sanctions update that also included fresh sanctions against several individuals and entities allegedly linked to drug trafficking networks operating in Mexico. Alongside the sanctions revisions, OFAC released its quarterly report on licensing activities conducted under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA) for the January-March 2026 period.

Following the original sanctions in 2024, the Indian government had said it was engaging with US authorities to understand the basis of the action and to safeguard the interests of affected Indian businesses. The removal of the four companies is expected to ease restrictions on their dealings with US persons and financial institutions.

The move comes amid continuing US efforts to enforce sanctions against entities accused of helping Russia circumvent restrictions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, while also reflecting periodic reviews of the sanctions list by OFAC.