US sanctions on 2 Indian Cos not justified: India

New Delhi, Aug 7: India today rejected US assertions that two companies had violated international norms by transfering chemicals to Iran and said that New Delhi's commitment to preventing onward proliferation was ''second to none.''

An External Affairs Ministry spokesman, while commenting on reports about imposition of sanctions by the US on two Indian companies--Balaji Amines and Prachi Poly Products--for transfering some chemicals to Iran, said that according to preliminary assessment, the transfer of such chemicals was not in violation of international obligations and, therefore, imposition of sanctions was ''not justified.''

''The sanctions imposed by the US Government on the two Indian firms relate to transfer of some chemicals to Iran. Our preliminary assessment is that the transfer of such chemicals was not in violation of our regulations or our international obligations,'' the spokesman said in response to a question.

He said India's commitment to prevent onward proliferation was second to none.

India had instituted a rigorous system of export controls and its track record in this regard is well known.

''India is working with the international community including the US, as a partner against proliferation. In this context the imposition of sanctions by the US on our firms, which in our view have not acted in violation of our laws or regulations, is not justified,'' the spokesman added.

UNI

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