India has refuted claims suggesting that artillery shells manufactured in the country were provided to Ukraine by a European nation. Randhir Jaiswal, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, dismissed the reports during a regular media briefing on Thursday.
Numerous reports circulating mainly on social media and various international news websites claimed that Ukrainian forces utilised 155 mm artillery shells resembling those produced in India. Certain reports asserted that a central European nation had allegedly provided these shells to Ukraine after obtaining them from India.
Jaiswal stated, “on the question regarding artillery shells, one thing is very clear. We’ve also seen some media reports in this regard. We can categorically say that we have not sent any of this artillery ammunition to Ukraine.” Emphasizing the point, he added, “Not exported and not sent.”
India’s official response came a day after a discussion between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on the Ukraine conflict and avenues to advance cooperation. It marked the initial formal contact between the two nations in several months.
The telephonic discussion took place several days following Jaishankar’s five-day visit to Russia, during which he engaged in comprehensive talks with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and paid a courtesy call to President Vladimir Putin.
India has consistently advocated for a resumption of dialogue and diplomatic efforts to bring about a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, refraining from public criticism of the Russian invasion. Additionally, India has dispatched multiple shipments of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Team BharatShakti
