India's arms sales to Israel amid Gaza conflict raises eyebrows

Allegations surrounding India's involvement in supplying arms to Israel during the Gaza conflict have intensified, casting a spotlight on potential implications for both countries.

The cargo ship Borkum's journey near Spain's Cartagena port on May 15 triggered protests amid suspicions it carried weapons destined for Israel, prompting calls from European Parliament members to halt its docking. Despite the vessel rerouting to Slovenia's Koper port, documents later revealed it carried explosives from India intended for Israel's Ashdod port.

These revelations come amid reports that India's Munitions India Ltd (MIL), a state-owned enterprise, received authorization to export arms to Israel earlier in 2024. The report, published by The Wire on May 7, highlighted MIL's role in producing a variety of ammunition and explosives, including rockets and hand grenades, subject to stringent export controls under India's munitions list SCOMET.

The controversy deepens with disclosures about other Indian entities involved in military exports to Israel. Adani–Elbit Advanced Systems India Ltd, a joint venture, reportedly supplied Hermes 900 UAVs to Israel, while Premier Explosives Ltd exported explosives, including during the ongoing Gaza conflict.

India's shifting stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, marked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel in 2017 and increased arms trade totaling $2.9 billion over the past decade, has drawn international scrutiny. Despite occasional abstentions in UN resolutions concerning Gaza, India's export permissions have underscored its nuanced diplomatic balancing act amid global calls for peace.

The developments highlight India's evolving role in the global arms trade and its implications amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, challenging its historic stance on non-alignment and support for Palestinian causes.

[With information from The Cradle and Al Jazeera]