India defends arms exports to Israel amid allegations of use against Palestinians
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed concerns in Parliament on Friday about India’s arms exports to Israel amid allegations of their use in the ongoing conflict in Palestine. He emphasized that India’s decisions regarding exports are driven by "national interests" and commitments to "various international regimes."
The statement came in response to a query by MP John Brittas, who referenced a meeting between Palestine's Minister of State in the Foreign Office and Indian Ambassador Renu Yadav. During the meeting, Palestine reportedly requested India to reconsider its arms supplies to Israel, citing their alleged use against Palestinian civilians.
Jaishankar stated, "The issue of India’s exports, including those with military implications, is guided by our national interest and our commitments to various regimes." He further highlighted India’s adherence to global agreements like the Wassenaar Arrangement and explained that export decisions are made through a stringent control and licensing process.
Reiterating India's close ties with Israel, Jaishankar added, “Israel is a country with which we have a strong record of cooperation in national security. It has stood by us at crucial moments when our national security was under threat.” He underlined that India would prioritize its national interest in any decision on exports.
The minister also faced a series of questions from opposition MPs regarding India's stance on the conflict in Gaza and its abstentions on recent UN resolutions. TMC MP Saket Gokhale questioned India’s position on Israel's ban on the UN aid agency UNRWA and its policies in Gaza.
Jaishankar defended India’s support for humanitarian aid to Palestine, noting that India had supplied 70 metric tonnes of assistance in 2023, including 16.5 metric tonnes of medicines. He confirmed that the latest tranche of aid had been sent to UNRWA.
When asked about India’s stance on Israel’s settlements in the West Bank, Jaishankar reiterated support for the two-state solution, calling it India’s “public and unambiguous” position.
On the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas leader for alleged war crimes, Jaishankar pointed out that India is not a member of the ICC.
Amid Jaishankar’s defense of India’s export policies, an Al Jazeera investigation published in June 2024 alleged that Israel has been using Indian-made weapons in its prolonged military campaign in Gaza. A video by the Quds News Network reportedly showed missile remains with labels indicating they were manufactured in India.
Another report by Middle East Eye claimed that Israeli forces were deploying AI-powered weapons co-produced by an Indian defense company in Gaza. These systems reportedly turn firearms into automated killing machines.
Israel’s military operations in Gaza since October 7, 2023, have drawn widespread international condemnation, with over 44,600 people—mostly women and children—killed, according to Palestinian health authorities.
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US sends 15-point plan to Iran to end war: reports
Washington (PTI): The US has sent Iran a 15-point plan and ceasefire proposal to end the war in the Middle East, multiple news outlets reported here.
The peace plan was shared with Iranian officials Tuesday via Pakistan, according to the New York Times.
ABC News quoted sources saying the plan addresses Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs as well as maritime routes, but would not provide any other details – including which Iranian officials were sent the proposal.
It is also unclear whether Israel has signed onto the proposal.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the 15-point plan calls on Iran to dismantle its three main nuclear sites and end any enrichment on Iranian soil, suspend its ballistic-missile work, curb support for proxies and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In return, the nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, imposed by the international community, will end, and the US will also assist and monitor its civil nuclear programme.
The US has also assured to remove the “snapback” mechanism which allows for the automatic reimposition of sanctions if Iran fails to comply.
The 15-point programme also talks about Iran dismantling the Natanz, Isfahan and Fordo nuclear facilities, granting full access to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to its nuclear facilities.
It also asks Iran to abandon its “regional proxy paradigm” and cease the funding, directing and arming of its proxies.
In his remarks Tuesday afternoon, Trump repeated his claim that the US has already won the war in Iran.
The main goal of the war, Trump said, was to ensure that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. “We’re talking about that, and I don’t want to say in advance, but they’ve agreed they will never have a nuclear weapon. They’ve agreed to that,” he said.
