ABSTRACT
Sanctions are the favored policy-instrument of several Western states and international organizations. In the last few decades the targets and the reasons sparking Western sanctions have differed; however, they have often garnered the same response from the non-Western part of the world – skepticism and discomfort. Among the Eastern states, Indian and Chinese responses to sanctions are significant, as their increasing economic power and reach have made their support essential to sustain sanction regimes. Both India and China have frequently voiced their dissent regarding sanctions, especially unilateral ones, mentioning either the unacceptable nature of such measures or their own policy of opposing unilateral sanctions. However, it cannot be overlooked that despite conveying their skepticism, India and China have themselves used this tool to promote their interests and attempted to change the behavior of the sanctioned entities.
