India has officially rejected a Reuters report alleging that the government failed to prevent the transfer of Indian-made artillery shells to Ukraine by European buyers. The report claimed that these transfers have been ongoing for over a year, despite repeated protests from Moscow.
The Indian foreign ministry described the report as “speculative” and “misleading,” asserting that it implies violations by India that do not exist. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s “impeccable track record” in complying with international arms non-proliferation obligations and noted the country’s robust export regulations.
India’s arms export rules explicitly restrict the use of sold weapons to designated buyers, and any unauthorized transfers could jeopardize future sales. In May, India tightened its export rules, requiring buyers to ensure that arms are not sent to third countries.
Ukraine, currently facing a renewed offensive from Russia, is reportedly dealing with a shortage of artillery ammunition. The Reuters report cited unnamed officials and customs data, stating that Indian production accounts for less than 1% of the total arms imported by Ukraine since the conflict began in 2021.
Countries like Italy and the Czech Republic were mentioned as European nations allegedly sending Indian munitions to Ukraine. The report noted that Moscow had raised concerns with Delhi about these transfers, including during a meeting between foreign ministers in July.
While India has refrained from directly criticizing Russia throughout the war, it has stressed the importance of territorial integrity and sovereignty. The nation continues to advocate for diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the conflict.
Historically, India and Russia have maintained strong relations, with Russia being a key trade and defense partner. Last year, Russia was India’s largest oil supplier, and it provides over 60% of India’s defense needs. During a recent visit to Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to President Vladimir Putin as a “dear friend,” a move that drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Despite this, Modi later visited Ukraine to meet with Zelensky, reflecting India’s nuanced approach to global geopolitics.
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