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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100 stray dogs ''poisoned'' to death near Hyderabad, case booked
Hyderabad (PTI): In yet another incident of stray dog killings, nearly 100 canines were allegedly "poisoned to death" in Yacharam village near here following which a case was registered against a sarpanch and two others for their alleged involvement in the act, police said on Wednesday.
The fresh incident follows killing of nearly 500 stray dogs in different districts of Telangana since January 6.
An animal welfare activist, associated with Stray Animal Foundation of India, in a complaint filed with Yacharam Police Station alleged that the dogs were injected with some poisonous substances on January 19.
A case was registered under relevant sections of BNS and Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act against the sarpanch, secretary and ward member of Yacharam gram panchayat on Tuesday, a police official said.
As per the complainant, 100 dogs were killed, but based on preliminary investigation and after verifying with villagers around 50 dogs were found to be killed, though further probe is on in this regard, the official said.
An investigation is also underway to find out the carcasses of the dogs, he said.
Earlier, police in Hanamkonda district had booked nine persons, including two women sarpanches and their husbands, in connection with the alleged killing of around 300 stray dogs in Shayampet and Arepally villages.
In another incident, around 200 stray dogs were allegedly killed in Kamareddy district, and a case was booked against six persons, including five village sarpanches, for their alleged involvement in the incident.
It is suspected that some elected representatives, including sarpanches, allegedly carried out the killings to "fulfill promises made to villagers" ahead of gram panchayat elections held in December last year, to tackle the stray dog menace.
