A media report from India claimed that the government had stopped Western manufacturers from bringing in Indian-made artillery shells to Ukraine.
In a story published on Thursday, Reuters alleged that artillery shells sold by Indian arms makers hade been diverted by European customers to Ukraine.
According to the report, Delhi has been preventing the transport of weapons despite repeated protests from Moscow, which has continued for more than a year.
India’s international ministry has called the report” theoretical” and “misleading”.
The report “implies violations by India, where none exist, and hence, is inaccurate and mischievous”, Randhir Jaiswal, the ministry’s spokesperson wrote on X ( formerly Twitter ).
Mr. Jaiswal added that India has a proven track record of meeting global standards for non-proliferation of weapons and has strict export regulations.
Moscow is yet to respond to the document or Delhi’s declaration.
Indian arms export regulations restrict the use of weapons to the designated buyer, and any unauthorised transfers could jeopardise future sales. In May, India had announced further tightening of export rules, mandating that buyers ensure the arms are not sent to third countries.
Ukraine, which is battling a renewed rude from Russia, apparently grapples with a lack of artillery weapons.
According to the Reuters report, which cited unnamed Indian and European authorities and defense industry officials as well as customs data, India produced only a small percentage of the weapons used by Ukraine, which is thought to be less than 1 % of the total hands imported by Kyiv since the battle started in 2021.
Italy and the Czech Republic, according to the statement, are two of the Western nations that send Indian ammunition to Ukraine.
Moscow was alleged to have discussed the matter with Delhi on at least two times, including at a conference between the foreign officials of both nations in July.
India has resisted making direct criticism of Russia for the conflict, which has irritate the American power.
Delhi, however, has often spoken about the necessity of respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries. It has steadfastly pushed for speech and diplomacy to put an end to the war.
Despite European sanctions against Russia, India and Russia have usually had friendly relations, and Moscow continues to be a significant trade and defense partner for Delhi.
Last month, Russia was India’s biggest oil provider. In the army industry, it continues to be India’s biggest supporter, supplying more than 60 % of Delhi’s requirements.
After serving for a second term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first diplomatic trip to Russia, where he addressed Vladimir Putin as a “dear companion.”
However, Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, expressed disappointment at Modi’s visit to Russia, who reportedly saw him cuddle the nation’s largest democracy’s most brutal crime in Moscow.
Weeks later, Modi visited Ukraine and held conversations with Zelensky, which economists said was in line with India’s famous non-alignment approach to politics.