The incident of the Spanish government refusing the Israeli-bound ship—the cargo vessel Borkum—from India to dock near Cartagena, after pro-Palestinian protestors demanded an investigation, believing it was carrying weapons to Israel for use in the war against Gaza, has now reportedly been confirmed to be carrying weapons.
The incident occurred amid reports of India's alleged supply of munitions to Israel to strengthen its weapons in the ongoing war on Gaza, while many European countries, including the UK and the US, decided to stop shipping weapons to Israel, which is accused of indulging in genocide. However, both Israel and India denied the reports of India supplying weapons to Israel.
The controversy intensified when leftist members of the European Parliament urged Spanish President Pedro Sánchez to prevent the vessel from docking, citing concerns over the arms' potential use in Israel's ongoing conflict with Gaza.
Before the Spanish government could take action, the Borkum altered its course, bypassing Cartagena and heading towards the Slovenian port of Koper. This decision was seen by some, including Inigo Errejon of Spain's hard-left Sumar party, as confirmation of the ship's suspicious cargo.
Documents revealed that the Borkum was carrying explosives, including rocket engines and other military materials, loaded in India and destined for Israel's port of Ashdod, close to the Gaza Strip, according to a report published in Al Jazeera. Marine tracking data indicated the vessel had departed Chennai on April 2 and avoided the Red Sea, likely due to attacks on ships by Yemen's Houthis.
Despite the German ship manager's denial of any weapons onboard, another cargo ship, the Marianne Danica, was denied entry to Cartagena on May 21. The vessel was also transporting explosives from Chennai to Israel, further substantiating claims of India's involvement in arms supplies to Israel.
These incidents highlight an emerging pattern of weapon transfers from India to Israel, raising concerns about India's role in the Gaza conflict. Analysts point out that India's lack of transparency in arms transfers allows such activities to go largely unnoticed. Research from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates long-standing collaboration between India and Israel, particularly in missile production.
The controversy deepened when video footage emerged showing the remains of a missile, dropped by Israeli warplanes in Gaza, bearing the label "Made in India." While SIPRI researchers called for further investigation, they noted significant cooperation between the two countries in missile technology, specifically the Barak missile systems.
India's Premier Explosives Limited, a key player in this collaboration, has been exporting rocket motors and other military materials to Israel. The company's executive director confirmed substantial revenue from these exports, particularly during the current Gaza conflict. Additionally, the Adani Defence & Aerospace collaboration with Israel's Elbit Systems has been producing UAVs in Hyderabad, with potential exports to Israel for combat use.
Israel's use of Hermes drones, produced through this collaboration, has been documented in the ongoing conflict, though it's unclear if these specific drones are from India. Nonetheless, the possibility of Indian-manufactured drones being used in Gaza cannot be ruled out.
India's relationship with Israel, marked by a balancing act between advocating for peace and engaging in military cooperation, faces scrutiny. While India calls for dialogue and negotiations in international conflicts, reports of arms supplies to Israel challenge this narrative.
India's formal diplomatic ties with Israel date back to 1992, following decades of pro-Arab policy. However, the strategic partnership has grown, particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, which has embraced closer ties with Israel.
Modi's approach has included public declarations of friendship with Israeli leaders and strategic collaborations in technology and defence. This stance has led to a nuanced position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, often balancing support for Palestinians with strong ties to Israel. India has abstained from several UN resolutions critical of Israel, while sometimes supporting calls for ceasefires and humanitarian truce.
The recent loss of BJP's majority in India's lower house of parliament adds another layer of complexity, as the ruling party now relies on coalition partners, necessitating careful diplomatic navigation. The BJP must maintain good relations with Middle Eastern nations, including those critical of Israel, to ensure political stability and economic partnerships.