India-Israel Relations: Quoting defence sources, The Hindu reported that Israel needed cannons in the early days of the Gaza invasion. But India has taken a policy decision not to supply armaments to Israel. Defence sources said that India is firmly neutral regarding the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. India has adopted a stance of not supplying explosive equipment to either of these two countries.
A defence source familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity, “In the initial days of the attack on Gaza, they needed 155 mm and 105 mm artillery shells, but we took a policy decision not to supply them. Currently, Israel is not able to fulfil its commitments. Israel is using what it should have supplied for itself.”
India itself is dependent on defence imports
The defence source said India is highly dependent on defence imports. Deliveries of systems, spares, supplies and ammunition from Russia have also been delayed. “There is very little defence export from India to Israel. India itself is dependent on Israel for defence supplies, but Israel is currently meeting its requirements,” the source stressed.
Indian and Israeli companies are working together
Some Israeli companies are working in collaboration with Indian companies, under which some parts and materials are made in India or systems are assembled in India. These materials are sent back to the parent company. The source said, at the time the war between Russia and Ukraine started in February 2022, not much supply was coming from India, because our defense industry was not very prepared at that time.
India is cautious in defense exports- Randhir Jaiswal
On the other hand, the matter of sending Made in India cannonballs to Ukraine has been denied by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. He termed the Reuters reports as ‘speculative and misleading’. He also said that there was no violation from India’s side. Jaiswal said, the Indian government has taken great care to ensure that none of its equipment reaches any country that can export them to another country.
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