Speculative, misleading: India on report of diversion of ammunition to Ukraine

Speculative, misleading: India on report of diversion of ammunition to Ukraine

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has rejected the claims made by news agency Reuters that artillery shells sold by Indian arms makers were diverted by European customers to Ukraine.  

India on Thursday, Sept 19. rejected the report which claimed that artillery shells sold by Indian arms makers were diverted by European customers to Ukraine.

Calling the report "speculative and misleading", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India has an impeccable track record of compliance with international obligations on the export of military and dual-use items.

"We have seen the Reuters report. It is speculative and misleading. It implies violations by India, where none exist and, hence, is inaccurate and mischievous. India has an impeccable track record of compliance with international obligations on the export of military and dual-use items," MEA said in a statement.

"India has been carrying out its defence exports taking into account its international obligations on non-proliferation and based on its own robust legal and regulatory framework, which includes a holistic assessment of relevant criteria, including end-user obligations and certifications," the ministry added.

In its report, Reuters claimed that the transfer of ammunition to aid Ukraine's defense against Russia has been ongoing for more than a year.

"Indian arms export regulations limit the use of weaponry to the declared purchaser, who risks future sales being terminated if unauthorised transfers occur," the report claimed.

It also alleged that New Delhi has not intervened to stop the trade, even after protests from Russia. "Moscow has raised the issue on at least two occasions, including during a meeting in July between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar," it claimed.