New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): A report by Amnesty International has alleged that defence-related exports from India to Israel continued after the beginning of the Gaza conflict, with thousands of shipments of military equipment and components reportedly reaching Israeli defence companies.
The rights organisation said it analysed trade records and identified 2,596 shipments of weapons, ammunition and related parts sent from India to Israel since October 7, 2023. According to the report, the supplies came from Indian companies, including some with government ownership or control, and were delivered to Israeli firms linked with the country’s defence establishment.
Amnesty alleged that these exports carried a risk of contributing to violations in Gaza and urged the Indian government to suspend approvals for the transfer of military equipment, ammunition and components to Israel.
The organisation said its research focused on shipment-level data and traced various defence-related items supplied to Israeli companies. The reported consignments included parts for small arms, components associated with explosive systems and materials used in military vehicles.
Report Lists Defence Components and Manufacturers
According to Amnesty, Indian suppliers provided at least 390,516 small arms components, 564,970 parts related to explosive ordnance and 298 military vehicle components to Israeli defence companies.
The organisation said it excluded items that may have had civilian applications from its assessment. It also left out supplies believed to be associated with missile defence systems, which are generally used for protective purposes.
The report highlighted several categories of equipment allegedly supplied, including machine gun parts, components connected to 155mm artillery ammunition and explosive warheads used in unmanned systems.
Indian and Israeli Firms Mentioned
The report named multiple Indian defence companies as suppliers of components that allegedly reached Israeli manufacturers. These included PLR Systems Private Limited, a joint venture involving Adani Defence & Aerospace and Israel Weapon Industries; Indo MIM Private Limited, a producer of firearm components; and Kalyani Systems Private Limited, linked to Bharat Forge.
It also mentioned state-owned Munitions India Limited and Alpha Elsec Defence & Aerospace Systems Private Limited among the companies involved in defence manufacturing.
On the Israeli side, Amnesty identified firms such as Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd as companies that received the reported supplies.
Amnesty Raises Arms Transfer Concerns
Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard said the organisation’s findings showed continued involvement of Indian suppliers in Israel’s defence supply chain during the Gaza war. The group argued that governments should ensure arms transfers do not contribute to potential human rights abuses.
The organisation has called for an immediate review of defence exports to Israel and asked India to stop authorising shipments where there is a risk of their use in violations of international law.
Arms Trade Treaty Issue
The report also pointed out that India is not a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a global agreement aimed at regulating the international trade of conventional weapons and preventing irresponsible arms transfers.
The allegations made in the Amnesty report have not been independently verified. The Indian government and the companies named in the report had not issued a detailed response to the claims at the time of publication.
