MEA reacts to ‘misleading’ reports of Indian weapons in Ukraine – Times of India



NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Thursday refuted reports claiming diversion of Indian defence exports to Ukraine, calling them “speculative and misleading”.
India has an impeccable track record of compliance with international obligations on the export of military and dual-use items, the MEA said in a statement.
“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,” it added.
MEA’s response came hours after news agency Reuters in its report said 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 Russia.
Citing sources, The report further said that the transfer of munitions to support Ukraine’s defence against Russia has occurred for more than a year.
Reuters cited two anonymous government and two defence industry sources and said that India produced only a very small amount of the ammunition being used by Ukraine, with one official estimating that it was under 1% of the total arms imported by Kyiv since the war.





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