US removes four Indian companies from Russia-related sanctions list

The United States has removed four Indian companies from its Russia-related sanctions list, offering relief to firms that had previously faced restrictions under measures targeting Russia.

The move came as the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) updated its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List and released its latest quarterly report on licensing activities under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA).

The four companies removed from the SDN List are Hyderabad-based RRG Engineering Technologies Private Limited, Hyderabad-based Lokesh Machines Limited, Ahmedabad-based Galaxy Bearings Ltd, and Delhi-based Shaurya Aeronautics Private Limited. All four had been designated under Executive Order 14024, which forms part of the US sanctions framework related to Russia.

Their removal means the companies are no longer subject to the specific US sanctions imposed under that programme. OFAC did not specify the reasons for the delisting.

At the same time, the US expanded sanctions targeting alleged members and associates of Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

Two Mexican nationals — Oscar Guillermo Juraidini Silva and J. Refugio Ruiz Villagomez — were added to the SDN List under counterterrorism authorities and Executive Order 14059, which targets foreign persons involved in the global illicit drug trade.

The Treasury Department also sanctioned nine entities allegedly linked to the designated individuals and the cartel. These include logistics, transportation, financial services and real estate companies based mainly in Mexico, along with one company registered in the United Kingdom. The sanctions block any assets under US jurisdiction and generally prohibit US persons from conducting business with the designated individuals and entities.

Separately, OFAC published its quarterly report covering licensing activities from January through March 2026 under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act. The report outlines applications processed for exports of agricultural commodities, medicines and medical devices to Iran under a specific licensing regime.

The latest update reflects OFAC's continuing review of sanctions and licensing activities. While the removal of the four Indian firms marks a significant development for the affected companies, the US also demonstrated its continued focus on expanding sanctions against entities allegedly linked to transnational criminal organisations.

- Ends