Tensions between the United States and India have once again come to the forefront—this time over trade sanctions. In a controversial move, the U.S. State Department recently announced sanctions on six Indian companies for allegedly purchasing petroleum and petrochemical products from Iran, a violation of U.S.-imposed sanctions on the Iranian regime. This action has sparked widespread debate in India over whether Washington has the right to dictate New Delhi’s energy and trade choices, especially when other global powers continue their dealings with Iran.

Let’s take a look at the six Indian companies that are now facing American sanctions. The first is Alchemical Solutions Private Limited, accused of importing Iranian goods worth ₹714 crore. The second, Global Industrial Chemicals Limited, is linked to a ₹433 crore methanol import. Jupiter Dye Chem Private Limited follows with ₹416 crore worth of toluene imports. Then comes Ramniklal S. Gosalia and Company, tied to ₹187 crore in purchases. Persistent Petrochem Private Limited reportedly imported goods worth ₹119 crore, while Kanchan Polymers had a relatively smaller import of polyethylene worth ₹11 crore. As a result of the sanctions, any assets these companies hold in the U.S. have been frozen. Moreover, no U.S. citizen or company is permitted to engage in business with them. Entities with over 50% ownership by any of these companies also fall under the same restrictions.

This leads to a larger question: Does the U.S. enforce these sanctions uniformly? Data suggests otherwise. China continues to purchase oil worth billions of dollars from Iran every month. Turkey and the UAE are also major importers of Iranian petroleum products. Several European nations are known to conduct backdoor deals with Tehran. Yet, Washington largely turns a blind eye when it comes to these countries. Why? Because sanctioning China would disrupt the U.S. market, and targeting Europe would create cracks within NATO. Hence, the easier target appears to be India.

India today is no longer a passive player on the world stage. The country has been asserting its economic and diplomatic independence, building stronger ties with global powers on its own terms. Historically, India has been a significant trading partner of Iran—whether it’s the strategic Chabahar Port, naval deployments like INS Trikand in the region, or oil imports. Up until 2019, Iran was one of India’s largest oil suppliers. However, under pressure from U.S. sanctions, India gradually reduced its oil imports from Iran. Despite this, some private Indian companies continued their legally permissible trade with Iran under Indian law.

Now, with the U.S. cracking down on these private firms, questions of sovereignty and fairness are being raised. Should the United States have the authority to punish Indian companies for actions that are lawful under Indian jurisdiction? More importantly, will India simply accept this interference, or will it push back?

As of now, the Indian government has not issued any formal statement in response to the sanctions. But silence, in this context, could be interpreted as weakness and may embolden Washington to take similar actions in other critical sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, space, or defense. Many believe that this is not just about six companies—it’s a direct challenge to India’s right to make independent economic decisions. Therefore, India must act firmly. Diplomatic engagement with the U.S. is essential, but the government should also consider taking the issue to global platforms such as the WTO and the United Nations. Additionally, it must extend legal and diplomatic support to the affected companies.

This is not merely a case of sanctions—it’s a test of India’s economic autonomy. If the country chooses to stay silent today, more sectors could come under pressure tomorrow. This is a moment for India to assert that its trade and foreign policy decisions will be made in New Delhi, not Washington.

In the end, the broader question remains: Is this yet another example of America's double standards? And is India being unfairly targeted simply for refusing to toe the American line? These are questions the Indian public and leadership must now confront with clarity and resolve.

Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the author and do not represent any official stance or endorsement.