Sputnik Opinion
In-depth analysis of regional & global events provided by Indian & foreign experts - from politics & economics to sci-tech & health.

West Supplies Indian Shells to Ukraine in Attempt to Disrupt Delhi-Moscow Ties

© AP Photo / Mukhtar KhanIndian army soldiers display before the media arms and ammunition they claim to have seized from insurgents in Srinagar, India, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014.
Indian army soldiers display before the media arms and ammunition they claim to have seized from insurgents in Srinagar, India, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. - Sputnik India, 1920, 03.01.2024
Subscribe
India is maintaining its neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict. However, the presence of Indian artillery shells in the Eastern European country has raised eyebrows.
Any foreign power that is trying to disrupt relations between India and Russia needs to be taken to task, a defence pundit has said.
The remarks of Vijainder K Thakur, an Indian Air Force (IAF) veteran and noted military columnist, came after Indian artillery shells was reportedly used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces against.

How Did Indian 155mm Artillery Shells Land Up in Ukraine?

Thakur accused Slovenia of hoodwinking New Delhi by supplying Indian-manufactured artillery shells to Ukraine after purchasing them from the South Asian country without revealing that the acquisition was meant for Kiev's forces.
According to the Military Informant TC, most likely, the shells and charges were ordered from India by Slovenia, and then transferred to Ukraine, the international relations analyst noted.

"My guess would be that these photos have been deliberately leaked to embarrass India. Which is not to suggest that India should not be embarrassed with its lackadaisical attitude towards weapons export control. Justifying such transfers under the pretext of encouraging defense exports is simply not acceptable," Thakur told Sputnik India on Wednesday.

He underlined that India would do well to categorically deny any tacit involvement in the transfer of its ammunition to Ukraine and convey its displeasure to the country that "orchestrated the surreptitious transfer".
"Additionally, Indian intelligence agencies need to probe the leaks that led to the information emerging in the public domain. If a foreign power is trying to disrupt India's relations with Russia, the foreign power needs to be taken to task for vitiating India's sovereignty," the ex-IAF pilot added.
Interestingly, India is a close strategic partner of Russia, with both countries having rich historical ties.
Besides, New Delhi has maintained a neutral stand over Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine, often infuriating Western nations, including the US for taking a different position to theirs on the issue.
Last week, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar went on an official tour of the Eurasian sovereign state, holding meetings with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin.

Jaishankar Affirms Close Ties With Russia

During his interactions with Russia's top leadership, Jaishankar described Moscow as New Delhi's "time-tested partner".
"For us, Russia is a very valued partner. It is a very time-tested partner. It is a relationship from which both India and Russia have benefited enormously," India's top diplomat remarked.
Furthermore, the world's largest democratic nation's tri-services - the Army, Navy, and Air Force have a wide variety of Russian weapons in their arsenal.
As per Major General (Retd) Shashi Bhushan Asthana, the share of Russian military platforms in India's Armed Forces would be around 45 percent at present.
That's perhaps why Thakur is concerned about foreign ploys to create a rift between New Delhi and Moscow and wants the people behind Indian ammunition's transfer to Ukraine punished.
Russian soldiers’ feats during SMO - Sputnik India, 1920, 01.01.2024
Ukraine Conflict
Top 5 Heroic Acts of Russian Jawans Fighting Against NATO in Ukraine
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала