Three civil society representatives in Telangana have urged the state government to suspend a proposed business and technology engagement with Israeli companies, citing concerns over their alleged links to Israel’s military and surveillance operations.
In a joint statement, social activist S.Q. Masood, Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) Telangana president Mohammed Faraz Ahmed and social activist Sarah Mathews called on the Congress-led state government to put the proposed business meet at T-Hub on November 16 on hold until an independent human rights assessment of the participating companies is completed.
The statement expressed concern over the participation of companies reportedly linked to Israel’s defence establishment and military operations in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Activists Flag Israeli Companies’ Military Links
The statement referred to two reports published by The Siasat Daily on November 5 and 10, 2026. According to the reports, T-Hub, a startup incubator established by the Telangana government, is scheduled to host a delegation of 20 Israeli technology companies.
The programme is being organised in collaboration with the state government’s Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Department and the Israel Economic Mission to South India. The participating companies reportedly operate in sectors including defence technology, robotics, cybersecurity, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
The statement said The Siasat Daily’s investigation found that several participating companies had links to the Israeli military, while five reportedly supplied hardware, software or services used by Israeli forces in Gaza or the occupied Palestinian territories. These technologies included attack drones, military artificial intelligence, tank sensors, robotics and surveillance systems.
It also raised concerns over the involvement of Israel’s Ministry of Defence Directorate of Defence Research and Development in the wider programme.
The activists further referred to Israel’s Defence Ministry announcement on July 13 about the launch of DRISHTI 2.0, described as a joint initiative with T-Hub to connect Israeli defence technology companies with the Indian market.
They argued that the partnership required greater scrutiny and asked the Telangana government to explain its institutional relationship with Israel’s defence establishment.
Bharat Summit and Questions Over Global Justice
The statement also questioned the timing of the proposed engagement, as Telangana is hosting the second edition of the Bharat Summit on November 13 and 14.
The summit has brought together more than 1,000 delegates from over 70 countries to discuss democracy, peace, social and economic justice and international cooperation.
The activists argued that the government’s business engagements should reflect the principles being discussed at the summit.
“How can a government host an international summit on global justice, non-violence and peaceful coexistence while its own institutions facilitate commercial engagements with companies reportedly connected to the military and surveillance infrastructure used against Palestinians?” the statement asked.
It also cited the September 2025 findings of the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
The signatories urged delegates and civil society representatives attending the Bharat Summit to raise concerns about the proposed partnerships.
Four Demands to Telangana Government
The statement made four key demands. It called on the state government to suspend the proposed T-Hub business meet and the wider Telangana-Israel technology partnership until an independent human rights assessment is completed.
It also urged the government to ensure that the principles of the Bharat Summit are reflected in its policies and institutional engagements. The signatories called for a resolution opposing engagements with Israel and entities they say support violations of international law.
The activists further demanded public disclosure of all proposed agreements with Israeli companies, including memorandums of understanding, investment proposals, technology transfers, joint research and procurement arrangements.
They also sought a human rights due diligence framework for T-Hub and other government-supported institutions to prevent public resources and platforms from facilitating business relationships that could contribute to human rights violations.
The statement raised concerns about Israeli surveillance technology, referring to the Pegasus spyware controversy and proceedings before the Supreme Court of India. It said surveillance tools could threaten the privacy and rights of journalists, activists, opposition leaders and other citizens.
Activists Say Economic Growth Must Respect Human Rights
The signatories said they were not opposed to international cooperation, technological development or legitimate investment in Telangana. However, they argued that economic growth should not come at the cost of human rights and international law.
They also claimed that the Telangana government’s engagement with Israeli companies contradicted the public positions of senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who have criticised Israel’s military actions and expressed solidarity with Palestinians.
“Global justice cannot be a conference slogan. Peace cannot be selectively defended. And solidarity with Palestine must be reflected in action, not merely in words,” the statement said.
The activists urged the state government to reconsider the proposed engagement and ensure that its institutions and technology ecosystem uphold human rights and accountability.
