The US has imposed sanctions on three Chinese and one Pakistani company, as well as a Chinese citizen, for helping Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller announced on Thursday.
Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry (RIAMB) is being targeted for its work with Pakistan’s National Development Complex (NDC) to procure equipment for testing of large diameter rocket motors, including those used in the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel missiles, but potentially also for larger systems, he said in a statement.
The NDC, according to the US, is involved in the development of long-range ballistic missiles. The sanction on RIAMB is being imposed under an executive order from 2005 to curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
China-based Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Company, Universal Enterprise Ltd, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Company Ltd (also known as Lontek) are sanctioned for having "knowingly transferred equipment and technology" to Pakistan, which is not a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) group, Miller said.
Chinese citizen Luo Dongmei (who uses the pseudonym Steed Luo); and a Pakistani-based company, Innovative Equipment, are also sanctioned for the same actions, according to him.
They and the three companies were found to violate the MTCR regulations against transferring restricted equipment.
The MTCR’s 35 members, including India, work to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons by restricting their most destabilising delivery systems.
The assets, and interests in properties of the sanctioned companies in the US or controlled by American citizens are frozen and US companies and citizens are forbidden to do business with them.
The US had sanctioned three Chinese and one Belarussian companies for providing items for use in long-range ballistic missiles. At that time, Islamabad criticised the sanctions and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: "Pakistan rejects political use of export controls."
The Shaheen-3 capable of carrying nuclear weapons has a range of 2,750 kilometres, while the 2,200 kilometre-range Ababeel is more advanced and carries multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV), which can hit several targets.
Sushanta demanded Centre to start direct flight service along Agartala-Mumbai route
The state transport minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Monday met the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu in Delhi and discussed a series of issues related to the development of air services from Agartala MBB Airport.
CM Dr Manik Saha discuses development railway services and infrastructure in Tripura
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Monday met the General Manager (Construction) of North East Frontier Railway here in his chamber at the secretariat and discussed a series of issues related to the further development of railway infrastructure in the state and ease passenger movement.
State to get Rs 150 Crore for Tourism, Sushanta Meets Union Minister Shekhawat
The Central Government has sanctioned an additional ₹150 crore for the enhancement of Tripura's tourism sector, Tripura Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury announced on Monday.
CM to inaugurate 34 projects of Rs 250 Crore tomorrow
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of various projects worth Rs 250 crore, comprising 34 projects, in Unakoti district tomorrow.
JP Nadda, BL Santosh arriving in state on March 9: CM Manik Saha
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today announced that BJP All India National President JP Nadda and National General Secretary (Org) B.L. Santosh will be arriving on March 9 to attend the two-year celebration of the present state government at Swami Vivekananda Maidan.
Two Bihar women held with cannabis at Agartala Railway Station
Acting on a tip-off, the Government Railway Police recovered 21 kg 65 grams of dried cannabis from two women at Agartala railway station. The estimated market value of the seized contraband is said to be over three lakh rupees.
UK PM announces new 1.6-billion-pound deal for Ukraine to buy missiles
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain will allow Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) of British export finance to purchase more than 5,000 air defence missiles.
'PM Modi working for welfare of all communities without discrimination', says Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah Committee chief
Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah Committee Chairman Syed Afsar Ali Nizami on Sunday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attending the Sufi music festival 'Jahan-e-Khusro' and said that he gave the message of brotherhood and works for the welfare of all communities and religion without any discrimination.