Russia as a ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’

In News

• Recently, Ukraine’s President has asked US President to designate Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism”.

About

• Ukraine made the request to the US that centred on the West’s multifaceted response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• A move like this would activate perhaps the harshest suite of sanctions available with the United States against the Russian government.

State Sponsors of Terrorism

• Power lies with: 
  • The US Secretary of State has the power to designate countries that have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism as “State Sponsors of Terrorism”.
  • Sanctions can also be placed on countries and persons that engage in certain trade with designated countries.
• Part of bilateral relationship: 
  • A terrorism designation is part of the bilateral relationship between the United States and each of these governments.
• Four categories of sanctions on countries: 
  • Restrictions on US foreign assistance; 
  • A ban on defence exports and sales; 
  • Certain controls over exports of dual use items; 
  • Miscellaneous financial and other restrictions.
• Countries on the list: As of now, there are four countries on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
  • Syria (December 29, 1979), 
  • Iran (January 19, 1984), 
  • North Korea (November 20, 2017). 
  • Cuba was re-designated as a state sponsor of terrorism on January 12, 2021.
• Process of Delisting: 
  • Countries can be put and taken off the list from time to time. 
  • A country can be delisted if it is deemed by the US to have reformed its behaviour and returned to complying with the requirements of international law and conduct, or if it has undergone a change of leadership.
  • Cuba, Sudan, Iraq, South Yemen, North Yemen, Libya were delisted in this way. 
• Legal provisions: There are currently three statutes that authorise the Secretary of State to designate a foreign government for repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism.

Impacts of such Designation

• Freezing of the country’s assets in the United States, including real estate;
• Requiring the US to veto efforts of that country to secure World Bank or International Monetary Fund loans;
• Prohibiting a wide variety of dual-use exports;
• Requiring the US to take economic action against countries that continue to do business with the targeted country.

India’s stand on Russia-Ukraine War

• During a UNSC meeting in May 2021, India signalled its backing for traditional partner Russia on the Ukraine issue.
• India has advocated political and diplomatic solutions that protect the legitimate interests of all countries in the region and ensure long term peace and stability in Europe and beyond. 
• The path forward can only be through peaceful dialogue for a lasting solution acceptable to all concerned.
• Last November India voted against a Ukraine-sponsored resolution in the UN that condemned alleged human rights violations in Crimea thereby backing old ally Russia on the issue.
• Recently, India unequivocally condemned the deeply disturbing reports of civilian killings in the Ukrainian city of Bucha but India abstained from the vote saying any such decision must follow the “due process” of investigation first.

Implications on India

• India’s diplomatic dilemma:
  • Because of India’s strategic ties with Russia and its dependence on Russia for military supplies 60 to 70 percent of India’s military hardware is of Russian-origin.
• Impact on Indian exports
  • Russia is India’s 25th largest trading partner with exports of $2.5 billion and imports of $6.9 billion.
  • India’s key exports to Russia include mobile phones and pharmaceuticals while India’s key imports from Russia are crude oil, coal and diamonds. Tea is a major export item from India.
  • India’s exports to Ukraine were about $372 million.
• Impact of Sanctions  on India’s defence procurement:
  • Due to the West’s sanctions, India’s military faces a grim prospect of interrupted and delayed Russian defence kit supply, which is critical for the military’s operational readiness, especially in the wake of a collective threat from China and Pakistan.    
  • In the past, tensions between Russia and Ukraine had considerably delayed the modernisation of the AN-32 transport fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Relations with US: 
  • The US and Europe are both important partners from India’s strategic calculus. 
  • Many American platforms have been used for reconnaissance and surveillance along the India-China border. 
• China Factor:
  • China is also supporting that Ukraine should not become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). 
  • In such a situation, if there is a ban on Russia from the western countries and the US, then China can compensate for it.
  • This will further increase the closeness of China and Russia.

Way Ahead

• In view of the current sanctions on Russia, the alternate choice for India is to become self-dependent.
  • Over the last few years there has been a conscious effort to expand the weapons platform bases, domestically as well internationally.
• India’s abstentions on the global stage have left it with a perceived pro-Russia tilt. Therefore, India should urge respect for sovereignty, an end to the violence and a return to diplomacy.
• India needs to balance its actions moving forward and be the non-aligned country it always was, to reap benefits.

Source: IE