‘Misleading, inaccurate’: MEA rubbishes report on Indian ammunition being resold in Ukraine
MEA spokesperson asserts that Indian defence exports are guided by a robust legal and regulatory framework and any claims of Indian ammunitions being siphoned off to Kyiv are speculative
The Centre has described as “speculative” and “inaccurate” a media report which claims that artillery shells sold by Indian arms manufacturers have been diverted by European buyers to Ukraine without any intervention on the part of New Delhi to stop it.
“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," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Robust and regulatory framework in place: MEA
Jaiswal said India has an "impeccable" track record of compliance with international obligations on the export of military and dual-use items.
"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," Jaiswal said.
What the report claimed
The said media report claimed that artillery shells sold by Indian arms makers have been diverted by European customers to Ukraine and New Delhi has not intervened to stop the trade despite protests from Moscow. The report had cited at least 11 unnamed Indian and European government and defence industry officials as well as its analysis of commercially available customs data to substantiate the claims.
The transfer of munitions to support Ukraine's defence against Russia has occurred for more than a year, it has said.
It said that the transaction is a violation of Indian export rules that strictly prohibit the resale of arms to unauthorised third parties.
Russia has raised concerns twice: Report
The report claimed that Russia is aware of the alleged reselling of ammunitions and has raised its concerns twice with New Delhi on the matter.
It quoted two government and two defence industry insiders to say that munitions were diverted from India even though MEA spokesperson Jaiswal in January had rubbished the claims.
The report named Italy and the Czech Republic among foreign nations which are allegedly sending India-made shells to Kyiv.