Indian defense entities have come under scrutiny for their involvement in supplying arms and ammunition to Israel amidst the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
Recent reports from The Wire, an Indian news website, shed light on the activities of Munitions India Limited, a public sector enterprise operating under the Indian Ministry of Defence.
According to The Wire, Munitions India Limited has been granted permission to export its products to Israel until January 2024.
This news has sparked concerns regarding India's stance on the conflict between Israel and Palestine, especially in light of its role in facilitating arms trade with Israel.
Furthermore, Adani Elbit Advanced Systems India Limited, a joint venture between Adani Defense and Israel's Elbit Systems, has reportedly supplied large quantities of drones and drone-related munitions to Israel between 2019 and 2023.
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These exports, which utilized Indian aero structures and subsystems, have raised questions about India's complicity in the conflict dynamics.
Premier Explosives Limited, a private Indian company overseen by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, has also been implicated in the arms trade with Israel.
The company has been authorized to export weapons of war on two occasions since the onset of Israel's conflict with Gaza last year.
The Wire's report highlighted that on April 18, 2024, Munitions India Limited applied for a second phase of ammunition and weapon exports to Israel.
The approval for this second arms export is currently under consideration, adding further complexity to the ongoing scrutiny.
Over the years, the Modi govt has signed numerous trade agreements with Israel, resulting in India importing approximately $2.9 billion worth of military hardware, including radar systems, surveillance and combat drones, and missiles, as reported by The Times of Israel.
Drones manufactured by the Adani group in India were allegedly deployed in Israel and used during confrontations in Gaza, raising ethical and humanitarian concerns.
