The MEA further added that India has an impeccable track record of compliance with international obligations on the export of military and dual-use items….reports Asian Lite News
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday rejected Reuters reports claiming that Indian defence exports have been diverted to Ukraine, labelling them “speculative and misleading.”
“We have seen the Reuters report. It is speculative and misleading. It implies violations by India, where none exist and, hence, is inaccurate and mischievous,” the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said.
The MEA further added that India has an impeccable track record of compliance with international obligations on the export of military and dual-use items.
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“India has an impeccable track record of compliance with international obligations on the export of military and dual-use items. India has been carrying out its defence exports taking into account its international obligations on non-proliferation and based on its own robust legal and regulatory framework, which includes a holistic assessment of relevant criteria, including end-user obligations and certifications,” the MEA added further in a statement.
Notably, the Reuters report claimed that artillery shells sold by Indian arms makers have been diverted by European customers to Ukraine.
Citing eleven Indian and European government and defence industry officials, as well as a Reuters analysis of commercially available customs data, the report further states that New Delhi has not intervened to stop the trade despite protests from Moscow.
According to the sources and the customs data, the transfer of munitions to support Ukraine’s defence against Russia has occurred for more than a year.
Notably, Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in a conflict since February 2022. India has called for resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy. However, India has continued to purchase Russian oil.
Earlier this July, PM Modi visited Russia and held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was PM Modi’s first visit to Russia since the war started between Moscow and Kyiv in 2022.
Recently, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited Russia to attend the BRICS National Security Advisers’ meeting. During his visit, he held meetings with Russian leadership, including Vladimir Putin, and Sergey Shoigu.
Following his visit to Russia, PM Modi traveled to Ukraine in August, first by an Indian PM to the European nation. During the bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, PM Modi emphasised India’s position of peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
During PM Modi’s visit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed confidence that India had a role to bring peace to the conflict ridden region. (ANI)
‘India engaged with partners on Russia-Ukraine peace’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to the United States this weekend, where he will participate in the Quad meeting and hold bilateral discussions with world leaders, including US President Joe Biden.
He will meet top CEOs in a roundtable and take part in the UN ‘Summit of Future’ during his visit. He will also address the Indian diaspora at Long Island.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States is taking place in the backdrop of his recent visits to Ukraine and Russia.
India has expressed that it is ready to support the peace initiative in the Russia-Ukraine crisis. President Putin also said that BRICS nations, which include India, could act as mediators in potential peace talks. Following Modi’s visit, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also visited Moscow.
World leaders will converge in the United States for the UN summit this month, and Quad meet will take place on September 21. India is treading cautiously about peace proposals.
On whether India will discuss peace initiative and bring any proposal, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Thursday that New Delhi is talking with partners and leaders at this point, and it depends on how much consensus it will be able to build on the issue.
“As you know, the Prime Minister recently visited Russia and Ukraine, and after those visits, he also held discussions with leaders, including President Biden and President Putin. Our National Security Advisor also had discussions with President Putin during his visit to Russia. So, I can only say at this point that these talks are ongoing between the leaders. As for putting forward any proposal, we’ll have to see how much consensus is reached and whether we can reach a stage where a proposal can be put before a larger audience,” he said.
“I think we need to wait a little, and at the right time, we will be able to update you on this,” he added.
Quad meeting is taking place at US president Joe Biden hometown Delaware. PM Modi will also hold standalone bilateral meetings with US, Japan and Australia on the sidelines of Quad Summit.
Ministry of External Affairs has informed that several other meetings with world leaders are being worked out.
“We are involved in set of several conversations with several important partners and leaders at this point of time. These conversations are work in progress and we will update you on results of this conversations at the right time. At present moment, we remain engaged with our interlocutors on these very important issues,” the Foreign Secretary said.
On meeting with US president Joe Biden, officials here said scope of relations between India and US is very wide and on bilateral part there will be substantive discussions. Both leaders will review global strategic partnership between India and US which covers every aspect of human endeavour through the 50 plus engagement and bilateral dialogue mechanisms
India and United States will also exchange agreements on Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and India-US Drug Framework during the visit.
Prime Minister will be visiting the US from September 21 to 23. (ANI)
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