U.S. Freezes $26M Fund Transfers, What Are The Implications for Indian Diamond Trade?

U.S. Freezes Fund Transfers, Implication For Diamond Trade

Over the past couple of months, the U.S. government’s OFAC has taken decisive action by freezing approximately $26 million in funds, marking a stark setback for multiple offshore firms linked to Indian jewellers. The clampdown stems from allegations surrounding the import of rough diamonds that originate from Russian mines.

Offshore subsidiaries of Indian diamond merchants have had fund transfers frozen after U.S. authorities claimed the rough diamonds were mined in Russia. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) singled out UAE subsidiaries of Indian jewellers it claims have connected suppliers with Russian investors.

The Direct Impact
UAE subsidiaries of Indian diamond houses find themselves at the epicenter of this financial standstill. As suspicions arise regarding connections between these UAE firms’ suppliers and Russian investors, their dollar payments have encountered roadblocks. The OFAC’s instructions to correspondent banks have halted these payments en route to the intended rough diamond sellers, shedding light on the complex web of international transactions.

Nurturing Resolution
Efforts are underway to mitigate the consequences of this predicament. The diamond trade, a globally interconnected network, is rallying to address the situation and minimise the damage. As industry representatives engage with various stakeholders, they are striving to convey their perspective, contain the repercussions, and seek viable solutions.

Industry Advocacy and Diplomatic Efforts
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is actively championing the cause, reaching out to the Indian Ministry of Commerce and the Indian embassy in the UAE. The industry body is endeavouring to clarify that the payments were directed toward non-sanctioned entities, even including Russian entities, prior to the imposition of sanctions. These efforts underscore the urgency to rectify the situation and resume the smooth flow of funds.

When contacted, Vipulbhai Shah, chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said, “We, as the industry body, have taken up the matter with the Ministry of commerce and the Indian embassy in the UAE because the payments for imports were made by UAE subsidiaries of Indian diamond companies. Around $26 million, involving about a dozen payments, are stuck.”

He added, “We are also trying to explain to OFAC that the payments were made to non-sanctioned entities and even to some Russian entities well before the sanctions came into place. There is very little direct import of diamonds from Russia.”

The Bigger Picture
In the backdrop of the ongoing diplomatic discourse, the trade’s representatives are preparing for further negotiations. The alignment of G7 nations in considering measures against Russian diamonds has intensified the urgency. A forthcoming round of talks will likely focus on finding common ground that secures the supply of rough diamonds while respecting the interests of the U.S. government.

Impact on Indian Diamond Industry
The stakes are high for India’s diamond industry, particularly in Surat, where the cutting and polishing of rough diamonds forms a crucial economic activity. The recent U.S. sanctions on Russian diamond miner Alrosa amid Russia’s conflict with Ukraine have reverberated across the supply chain. The shortage of rough diamonds has led to worker layoffs, reduced operations, and widespread apprehension among workers.

The G7 nations implemented fresh sanctions targeting Russian diamonds in the preceding month. Given the absence of definitive methods to distinguish diamonds of Russian origin, the G7 alliance conveyed during its May gathering that the determination of diamond provenance would rely on traceability techniques; the initiative aims to curtail the circulation of Russian diamonds within global markets.

For the Indian diamond trade, which is responsible for cutting and polishing nine out of every ten diamonds worldwide, this development presents a significant setback.
Consequently, the livelihoods of approximately 1 million workers in Surat are now in jeopardy due to these recent sanctions. Prior to the imposition of sanctions, announced amidst the Russia-Ukraine conflict last year, India had been directly importing roughly 10% of Alrosa’s total output of rough diamonds.

Even subsequent to the sanctions, a considerable proportion of Russian diamonds found their way to India for cutting and polishing, facilitated through trading hubs such as Antwerp and Dubai.
However, the scarcity of rough diamonds has prompted approximately 300,000 Surat workers to endure an unpaid 20-day furlough, exacerbating their financial difficulties.

Moreover, the diamond processing facilities have been compelled to curtail operations from a dual-shift system to a solitary one, leading to the unfortunate loss of employment for 15,000-20,000 workers.

Bhavesh Tank, Vice President of the Diamond Workers Union, emphasises that a pervasive sense of apprehension has enveloped the workforce, accentuated by the gradual depletion of the supply side. The impending shortage casts a shadow of uncertainty over the prospects of these workers, who find themselves grappling with the unforeseen repercussions of international policy decisions.

The Last Bit, The freezing of fund transfers and the subsequent chain reaction underscores the delicate equilibrium that defines the international diamond trade. As industry leaders navigate the complexity of global transactions, diplomatic negotiations, and supply chain dynamics, the resilience of the Indian diamond trade is put to the test.

The outcome of these discussions will not only determine the immediate future of this industry but also shed light on the interconnectedness of global economies and the delicate balance of international relations.