India has maintained a significant arms supply relationship with Israel, even as the situation in Gaza escalated into what many human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have termed genocide. Since October 7, 2023, the onset of a major Israeli military offensive in Gaza, Indian companies have reportedly shipped a substantial amount of military equipment to Israel. Amnesty International's report details that over 2,596 shipments of weapons, ammunition, and military components have been sent from India to Israel, with specific figures indicating the transfer of hundreds of thousands of parts for small arms, explosive ordnance, and military vehicles.
The report highlights that India has become a crucial player in the supply chains that support Israeli military operations. Amnesty's investigation utilized shipment trade data to track these exports, systematically excluding any shipments that could be intended for civilian use. The findings reveal that Indian arms manufacturers have supplied components to prominent Israeli defense companies, including Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and IMI Systems Limited. This ongoing partnership raises serious ethical questions, especially in light of the International Court of Justice's provisional measures issued in 2024, which called for Israel to take action to prevent genocide in Gaza.
Historically, India and Israel have enjoyed a close relationship, particularly in defense and security matters. India has been Israel's largest defense purchaser, accounting for a significant portion of Israel's arms sales. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reported that between 2020 and 2025, India purchased 29 percent of its arms from Israel, making it a key ally in the region. The two nations have formalized their defense cooperation through various agreements, including a memorandum of understanding signed in November 2025, which aimed to enhance military and technological ties.
Despite the international outcry regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has continued to express strong support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, referring to him as a 'dear friend.' This relationship persists even as the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in late 2024 over alleged war crimes related to the conflict in Gaza. The ongoing arms sales from India to Israel, amidst accusations of genocide, highlight the complexities and moral dilemmas faced by nations in their foreign policy decisions, particularly in conflict zones where human rights violations are reported on a daily basis.
