Daniel Carmon, the former Israeli Ambassador to India, has said that India might be supplying arms to Israel in its ongoing conflict with Gaza, as a way of “returning the favour” for Israeli support during the 1999 Kargil War. This claim was made during an interview with Israel’s Ynetnews.
Carmon said that Israel was one of the few countries that provided India with crucial military support during its war with Pakistan.
“The Indians always remind us that Israel was there for them during the Kargil war… The Indians don’t forget this and might now be returning the favour,” Carmon stated.
He served as Israel’s ambassador to India from 2014 to 2018.
During the 1999 Kargil War, Israel supplied India with essential military equipment, including guided munitions and drones. Carmon’s comments come amid reports suggesting that India has recently supplied drones and artillery shells to Israel, as the latter faced shortages during its war with Gaza.
In February, media reports indicated that India had provided Israel with advanced Hermes 900 drones, which are manufactured in Hyderabad. The Hyderabad facility, set up by Israel, produces supplies primarily for the Indian military, but around 20 drones were reportedly sent to the Israeli Defence Forces.
While India has not officially confirmed these reports or reacted to Carmon’s remarks, the claims have sparked significant attention. In May, further speculation arose when Spain prevented a cargo vessel named ‘Marianne Danica’ from docking at the Cartagena port on its way to Israel. The vessel, originating from Chennai, was reportedly carrying 27 tonnes of military supplies.
Israel’s onslaught on Gaza has now entered its eighth month, resulting in the deaths of around 38,000 people and the displacement of hundreds of thousands.
