The Issue:
A U.S. media report recently alleged that India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) supplied parts (via a British firm) to Russia, violating strategic trade norms.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly denied the report, calling it “factually incorrect and misleading.”
What Did India Say?
The MEA clarified that HAL followed all international rules and end-use commitments.
India said the report was an attempt to distort facts and push a political agenda.
Such allegations have surfaced before, especially after the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022.
What Are Strategic Trade Controls?
These are rules to prevent the spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs) and control the export of military and dual-use items (which can be used both for civil and military purposes).
India maintains a harmonised list of such items, called the SCOMET list (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies).
Export of such items requires a special licence — unless exempt or prohibited.
Why Is This Important Now?
India aims to expand defence exports to ₹50,000 crore by 2029.
In FY 2024-25, India achieved ₹23,622 crore in defence exports — a 12% growth over the previous year.
To protect neutrality, India refused to supply weapons to either side in the Russia-Ukraine war or Gaza conflict.
How Does the Export Licensing Work?
India follows global non-proliferation agreements like the:
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
Is also a member of export control regimes like:
MTCR
Wassenaar Arrangement
Australia Group
The Defence Production Department (under MoD) handles export permissions for military items (Category 6 in SCOMET list).
What Has India Done to Boost Exports?
Industrial licenses have been simplified — most components no longer need a licence.
Introduced the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy.
Created an Export Promotion Cell and a digital system to apply for and issue export licences.
Major Indian exports now include:
Dornier aircraft
155mm artillery guns
BrahMos & Akash missiles
Pinaka rockets
India now exports to 100+ countries — mostly through PSUs, but private companies are growing too.
This streamlined policy ensures India meets global norms while boosting defence exports and promoting Make in India defence products.
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