Amnesty expresses concern over India’s arms supply to Israel

An Amnesty International report has alleged that India continued supplying weapons, ammunition and military components to Israeli defence companies after the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, raising concerns over the role of foreign arms suppliers in a conflict that has caused unprecedented humanitarian devastation.

The 42-page report, Made in India: The Supply of Weapons and Ammunition to Israel, documents what Amnesty describes as India’s growing contribution to Israel’s military supply chain during the conflict in Gaza.

According to the report, Amnesty investigators analysed 2,596 shipments of military-related items sent from India to Israel between October 7, 2023, and November 30, 2025.

It estimates that Indian companies supplied at least 390,516 military-grade small-arms parts, 564,970 explosive ordnance components-including artillery shell casings and drone warheads-and 298 military vehicle components to major Israeli defence firms.

The organisation says these figures are conservative because it excluded shipments that could have had civilian or defensive applications.

The report identifies both state-owned and private Indian companies among the exporters.

They include Munitions India Limited, India Optel Limited, Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Limited, Premier Explosives Limited, Kalyani Strategic Systems, PLR Systems and Alpha Elsec Defence & Aerospace Systems.

Several of these firms reportedly maintain partnerships with major Israeli defence contractors such as Elbit Systems, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries.

Amnesty argues that the transfers continued despite mounting international concern over Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

The organisation says states have an obligation under international humanitarian law to refrain from transferring arms where there is a clear risk they could facilitate serious violations of international law.

It also contends that companies have a responsibility to conduct heightened human rights due diligence when operating in conflict zones.

The report notes that India has become an increasingly important part of Israel’s defence manufacturing network over the past decade through joint ventures and technology partnerships.

It cites projects ranging from drone production to missile systems, reflecting deepening defence cooperation between the two countries.

Amnesty says it wrote to India’s Ministry of Defence, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and 15 companies named in the report before publication but had not received responses at the time of writing.

The report also highlights the humanitarian consequences of the war in Gaza.

Citing data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), it says that more than 73,000 Palestinians had been killed and over 173,500 injured by July 1, 2026, with civilians accounting for the vast majority of casualties.

It further states that around 90 per cent of Gaza’s population has been displaced, while most of the enclave’s infrastructure and agricultural land has been destroyed or severely damaged.

Amnesty International and several other organisations have characterised Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as genocide, while the report notes that the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry reached a similar conclusion in 2025.

Israel has consistently rejected allegations of genocide, maintaining that its military operations are aimed at dismantling Hamas following the group’s October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel.

The Hamas-led assault killed hundreds of Israeli civilians and soldiers and resulted in the taking of hostages, according to the report.

Amnesty calls for India to immediately halt all transfers of weapons, ammunition, military parts and related technologies to Israel and urges companies to end business relationships with key Israeli defence manufacturers.

It also reiterates its demand for a comprehensive international arms embargo covering the direct and indirect supply of military equipment to Israel.

The report is likely to intensify international debate over the responsibilities of arms-exporting countries and defence manufacturers amid the continuing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.