Former Israeli Ambassador says India supplying arms to Israel in gratitude for Kargil War support
New Delhi: Former Israeli Ambassador to India, Daniel Carmon, in an interview with Israeli publication Ynetnews, suggested that India might be supplying arms to Israel as an act of gratitude for Israel's support during the Kargil War in 1999.
Carmon’s remarks come amidst growing suspicion that India has been providing drones and artillery shells to Israel, which has been engaged in prolonged conflict in Gaza for over eight months, resulting in the deaths of around 38,000 people.
“We appreciate the support of India, a country that has suffered from terrorism and knows exactly what terrorism is and how to confront terrorism. We know and we count on the support of so many friends who are supporting us; India is a part of it,” Carmon stated in an interview with ANI.
In May, Spanish authorities barred the “Marianne Danica” cargo ship from docking at the Cartagena port on its way to Israel. The ship, which originated in Madras, India, was carrying 27 tonnes of military supplies for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the skirmishes with Hezbollah on the Lebanon border. This incident highlighted that India has been providing substantial military aid to Israel since October 7.
Ynetnews cited Indian media reports from February, revealing for the first time that India was supplying Israel with advanced Hermes 900 drones manufactured in Hyderabad. The report also mentioned that due to the scarcity of drones during the war, Israel had converted 20 of these drones exclusively for the IDF. This conversion was made possible through a collaboration between Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems and Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s consortium, marking the first factory to manufacture these drones outside Israel.
The pro-Israeli newspaper noted, “The war in Gaza put the relationship between Israel and India to a tough test, one that many allies failed to pass. During the first hours of October 7, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted his support for Israel and unequivocally condemned terrorism. Once he set the tone, his country showed unconditional support for Israel in the first few months.”
Azad Essa’s new book, "Hostile Homelands: The New Alliance Between India and Israel" (Pluto Press, 2023), offers an in-depth exploration of the evolving relationship between India and Israel, particularly in the context of Hindutva, Zionism, and the new configurations of global capital and far-right politics.
Essa writes, “On July 14, 2022, the U.S.-Israel-UAE-India grouping officially launched as the ‘I2U2’ (India, Israel, the United States, and UAE) or the ‘West Asia Quad.’ Within hours of its launch, it was reported that Haifa Port had been sold to the Indian company Adani Ports, operating on a joint bid with the Israeli company Gadot. Within days, the Indian flag was hoisted alongside the Israeli flag above the port.”
He further notes, “As it stands, Indian factories in conjunction with Israeli partners have already started producing Israeli assault rifles like the Tavor, the Negev Machine Gun, and the Uzi submachine guns; Spike anti-tank guided missiles; as well as Skystriker drones. Though still smaller than other countries, Indian arms exports doubled between 2018 and 2019.”
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Pace sensation Mayank Yadav gets India call-up, Varun Chakravarthy recalled after three years
India squad for Bangladesh T20Is
New Delhi, Sep 28: India's fastest bowler Mayank Yadav on Saturday got fast-tracked into the Indian team for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh after completing his near five-month rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy.
The team set to be led by Suryakumar Yadav only has one more senior -- former T20I skipper Hardik Pandya -- in its ranks as all the recent IPL performers have been selected.
Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders, got a recall after three years since his nightmarish T20 World Cup campaign in the UAE in 2021.
Nitish Reddy, the back-up seamer all-rounder after Pandya and Shivam Dube, also got a look-in after he missed out on the recent Zimbabwe tour owing to an injury.
The talented players like Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, Harshit Rana have all found a place in the 15-man squad that has Jitesh Sharma as the second keeper behind Sanju Samson.
The biggest surprise is certainly the inclusion of Mayank, who consistently bowled mid-150 clicks for Lucknow Super Giants during three of his four IPL matches including back-to-back Player of the Match awards which garnered global attention.
It was during mid-IPL, the 22-year-old Mayank, who hails from Delhi, was ruled out due to lower abdominal strain.
Such has been his talent that he was wrapped in cotton wool with an extensive rehabilitation programme and of late has been bowling 14-15 overs per day at the NCA.
However, it is believed that before being unleashed into red ball format in Ranji Trophy, Bangladesh series is the best opportunity for the national selection committee and head coach Gautam Gambhir to check out how he is coping at the international level with only four overs to bowl.
If his body holds up well, they might slowly draft him into the longer formats as he is considered a prospect who will serve Indian cricket for the longest time.
Chakravarthy, a vital cog in KKR's victorious IPL campaign under Gambhir's mentorship, was overlooked as recently as the tour to Zimbabwe and also Sri Lanka despite an impressive 21 wickets from 14 games.
However, it is understood that Gambhir was very keen on having Chakravarthy, who mainly bowls fast leg-breaks along with a deceptive wrong 'un.
India will play three T20Is in Gwalior (October 6), New Delhi (October 9) and Hyderabad (October 12) against Najmul Hossain Shanto's Bangladesh.
India’s squad for 3 T20Is against Bangladesh: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav.
