India providing arms to Israel for Kargil help, claims ex-ambassador.
India’s potential military support to Israel amid its current conflict with Hamas could be a reciprocal gesture for Israel’s assistance during the 1999 Kargil War with Pakistan, according to former Israeli ambassador to India, Daniel Carmon.
In an interview with Ynetnews, Carmon highlighted that Israel was among the few nations that provided critical military aid to India during its war with Pakistan, supplying guided munitions and drones.
Reciprocal Military Support:
Carmon, who served as the Israeli ambassador to India from 2014 to 2018, emphasized the significance of this historical support.
“The Indians always remind us that Israel was there for them during the Kargil war,” he said.
“The Indians don’t forget this and might now be returning the favour.”
Recent Arms Supply Reports:
Recent reports suggest that India has provided drones and artillery shells to Israel, potentially to bolster its military supplies amid the ongoing conflict with Gaza.
Indian-Israeli defense ties are very deep & India is lethally addicted to the co-manufacturing of Israeli arms they make Hermes 900 drones, SPICE PGKs, HERO & Skystriker LMs, Thor, EO/IR systems, artillery shells, SDRs/comms/radars, & small arms so India can backfill Israel…. https://t.co/USXA8gGNX4 pic.twitter.com/yH7wT6Rka7
— Viktor 📡 (@ViktorNaumenk99) June 25, 2024
While the Indian government has not officially confirmed these reports, the alleged supplies include Hermes 900 drones, manufactured in Hyderabad.
Around 20 of these drones were reportedly sent to the Israeli Defence Forces.
Incident in Spain: Arms Shipment Blocked
In a related development, a cargo ship named ‘Marianne Danica’ was blocked from entering Spain’s Cartagena port in May.
The ship, carrying 27 tonnes of military equipment from Chennai to Israel, was turned away due to Spain’s policy against arms shipments to Israel, as reported by Ynetnews.
Official Silence from New Delhi:
Despite these developments and the former ambassador’s comments, New Delhi has neither confirmed nor issued any statements regarding the provision of military supplies to Israel.
The lack of an official response adds a layer of ambiguity to the reports of India’s involvement in supporting Israel’s military efforts.
Also read: Israeli minister Benny Gantz resigns from war cabinet in blow to Netanyahu
