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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India has ample food stocks, says Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
Hubballi (Karnataka), May 12 (PTI): Allaying fears of shortage of essential commodities, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said the country has ample food stocks and warned against hoarding, black marketing and creating artificial shortages.
He also urged people not to panic or rush to the markets to purchase food grains, due to rumours in the wake of the military conflict between India and Pakistan.
"We have an abundant quantity of food grains. We have a buffer stock sufficient for a minimum of 1 to 1.5 years. We have given instructions to states from our department to take strict action against hoarding and black marketing. We have given clear warning against creating artificial scarcity," the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said there are enough quantities of pulses and cooking oil, and there is no need for people to create rush for any reason, as there is a big system in place.
"Our production of rice, wheat and other food grains is huge, so there is no need for anyone to worry. If anyone indulges in practices like black marketing, the state governments should take strict action," he added.
Noting that currently a "ceasefire" is in place between India and Pakistan, the union minister said, it has been made clear that India will treat any future act of terror on its soil as an "act of war" and to respond accordingly.
"We will not consider terrorism as an isolated activity and it will be considered as an act of war," he added.
Pointing out that the central government has called all party meetings at every level following the Pahalgam terror attack and information has been shared with opposition parties from time to time, Joshi said the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry will be able to say on the demand for a special parliament session and other things.
He further stated that during the operation in the last three to four days, the Indian armed forces have given a major blow to terrorism infrastructure, terrorists, terror hideouts and training camps, and their supporters.
Regarding the opposition's criticism over the USA's mediation for the ceasefire announcement, the union minister said the Government of India had already made a statement in this regard, and has stated clearly that the understanding was following a call from the Pakistan's Director General Military Operation (DGMO) to India's DGMO, and there were certain preconditions.
"No senior ministers in the central government have made any political statement in contact with the current situation. I appeal to the opposition, the country should remain united," he added.
