Full Breakdown
India’s Arms Exports to Israel Under Amnesty Scrutiny
8/4/2026, 8:19:30 AM
Core Event – Amnesty Report Highlights Thousands of Shipments
The analysis identifies 390,516 small-arms parts, 564,970 explosive-ordnance components (including drone warheads and artillery shell casings) and 298 military-vehicle parts supplied to Israeli defense firms. Amnesty argues that these transfers create a “real risk” of use in violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.
Background & Context – Growing India-Israel Defense Ties
India’s partnership with Israel has deepened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In February 2023 Modi visited Israel, pledging cooperation on defense, trade and counter-terrorism. The two governments later upgraded the relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity, with memoranda on joint production of drones, missiles and other systems. Israeli firms such as Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael have established production lines in India, while Indian firms increasingly manufacture components for export back to Israel.
Data & Statistics – Scale of Exports
- 2,596 shipments recorded from October 7 2023 to November 30 2025 (Amnesty).
- 390,516 small-arms parts (Amnesty).
- 564,970 explosive-ordnance components, including drone warheads (Amnesty).
- 298 military-vehicle components (Amnesty).
- SIPRI notes that 29 % of Israel’s defense exports (2021-2025) went to India, making India Israel’s top defense customer.
- India’s defense export value rose 62 % to 384.24 billion rupees ($4 billion) in the most recent fiscal year.
Amnesty’s methodology excluded items likely destined for civilian use or anti-missile systems and relied on HS codes 93 (weapons and ammunition) and 8710 (armored and tracked vehicles).
Official Statements & Responses – Government Defends Compliance
Israel rejected genocide accusations, describing its Gaza operation as a defensive war responding to the October 7 2023 Hamas attack.
Criticism & Opposition – Human-Rights Concerns
The organization highlighted India’s abstention from the 2013 Arms Trade Treaty and its lack of explicit human-rights due-diligence requirements. Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, called for transparency and urged the government to halt any supplies that could aid violations of the Geneva Conventions or the Genocide Convention.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Some sources cite “more than 2,500 shipments” while Amnesty specifies 2,596, reflecting a rounding difference.
- Amnesty’s figures exclude components possibly used for civilian or anti-missile systems, leaving end-use unverified.
- The Indian Supreme Court dismissed a 2024 petition to halt arms exports, ruling foreign-policy decisions lie with the executive, creating a legal gap regarding judicial oversight.
- No Indian official confirmed whether any exported items were directly employed in Gaza, and the government has not publicly responded to Amnesty’s specific allegations.
What’s Next – Calls for Policy Change
Amnesty urges India to accede to the Arms Trade Treaty and to institute explicit human-rights due-diligence for all defense exports. The organization also calls for an immediate halt to shipments that could be used in violations of international humanitarian law. Indian officials maintain that current export controls meet domestic and international standards, setting the stage for continued debate over the balance between strategic partnership and compliance with global human-rights norms.
