‘Misleading’: India rejects report on diversion of defence exports to Ukraine

Responding to the report, the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement, said such actions imply violations by India, where none exist, and hence, is “inaccurate and mischievous.”

The ministry further stated that India has an impeccable track record of compliance with international obligations on the export of military and dual-use items.

It asserted that 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.

According to the sources and the customs data quoted by Reuters, the transfer of munitions to support Ukraine’s defence against Russia has occurred for more than a year.

Quoting three Indian officials, the report further stated that the Kremlin had raised the issue on at least two occasions, including during a July meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.

The ministry’s clarification also comes weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and “exchanged perspectives” on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and “his insights from the recent visit to Ukraine”.

Marking a historic milestone in India’s diplomacy in Europe which has been roiled by the Russia-Ukraine war, Modi met Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv on August 23 and asked him to sit with Putin to “find a way out of the crisis”.

Delhi and Washington, Ukraine’s main security backer, have recently strengthened defence and diplomatic cooperation against the backdrop of a rising China, which both regard as their main rival. India also has warm ties with Russia, its primary arms supplier for decades, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has refused to join the Western-led sanctions regime against Moscow.