India to defend its interests if Cairn moves to enforce arbitration award: Sources SECTIONS Share Synopsis Cairn Energy said on Tuesday that it had identified Indian assets in overseas jurisdictions which it can seize if India does not pay up the damages as spelt out by the award. It pegged the total due from the Indian government at $1.7 billion by the year-end. “India is well within its sovereign powers to redress the situation of double non-taxation and tax abuse,” the source added. India will strongly defend its interests if Cairn Energy were to initiate enforcement proceedings, said sources aware of the matter who added that the government was in the process of appealing against the $1.2 billion award issued by the international tribunal in favour of the British oil major.