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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Ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren released from jail after HC grants bail in money laundering case
Ranchi (PTI): Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was released from Birsa Munda Jail here on Friday after the high court granted bail to him in a money laundering case linked to a land scam, an official said.
As Soren stepped out of the jail, a large number of JMM supporters cheered and raised slogans in favour of him.
Soren's wife Kalpana Soren, a JMM legislator, thanked the judiciary and people for their support.
"Heman Soren was released from the jail after completion of legal formalities," the official said.
Soren, on his release from the jail, was seen waving at people and seeking blessings from his father and JMM supremo Shibu Soren.
A single bench of Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay granted bail to the former chief minister of Jharkhand earlier in the day.
"...The petitioner is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the like amount each," said the order passed by Justice Mukhopadhyay.
Soren, the executive president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 in connection with its investigation into the money laundering case.
Watch | Former Jharkhand CM and JMM leader #HemantSoren released on bail from Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) June 28, 2024
He was granted bail by Jharkhand High Court in a land scam case pic.twitter.com/2XLoZTzI0g
