India has strongly refuted claims made in a recent New York Times report, which alleged that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a state-owned entity, may have redirected sensitive British equipment to Russia’s sanctioned defense supplier, Rosoboronexport. The Centre dismissed the report as misleading and accused it of distorting facts to fit a political narrative.

“The New York Times report is factually incorrect and misleading. It has tried to frame issues and distort facts to suit a political narrative,” government sources told The Hindu.

India Asserts Robust Regulatory Framework

The government emphasised that HAL has consistently adhered to all international obligations related to strategic trade controls and end-user commitments. It also reaffirmed that India’s regulatory framework remains strong and transparent.

“The Indian entity mentioned in the report has scrupulously followed all its international obligations on strategic trade controls and end-user commitments,” a source told PTI.

Criticising the publication for failing to verify facts, the source added, “We expect reputed media outlets to undertake basic due diligence while publishing such reports, which obviously was overlooked in the instant case.”

Allegations Against HAL and British Aerospace Firm

The New York Times report, citing “documents,” claimed that a major corporate donor to the populist Reform U.K. party had supplied nearly $2 million worth of transmitters, cockpit equipment, antennas, and other sensitive technology to a key supplier of Moscow’s blacklisted defense agency.

According to the report, between 2023 and 2024, the company in question—part of the British aerospace manufacturer H.R. Smith Group—exported the equipment to an Indian firm, which is the largest trading partner of the Russian arms agency. The records purportedly indicate that in some cases, the Indian company received equipment from H.R. Smith and then, within days, dispatched parts to Russia bearing the same identifying product codes.

H.R. Smith Group and Reform Party Respond to Claims

H.R. Smith Group defended its sales, stating that they were legal and that the equipment was meant for India’s search-and-rescue network. The company maintained that the parts in question “support lifesaving operations” and are “not designed for military use,” according to a lawyer quoted in the New York Times report.

A spokesperson for the Reform Party also dismissed the allegations, asserting that the donation from the company was legitimate. “Such a woeful attempt to smear Reform will not work,” the spokesperson stated.

India Stands Firm on Compliance and Transparency

The Indian government has categorically denied any wrongdoing and reiterated that its trade practices comply with international regulations. By defending HAL’s record and challenging the accuracy of the New York Times report, the Centre aims to reinforce its commitment to responsible global trade and strategic partnerships.