Artillery shells sold by Indian arms makers have been diverted by European customers to Ukraine and New Delhi has not intervened to stop the trade despite protests from Moscow, according to eleven Indian and European government and defence industry officials,

Indian-made artillery shells, sold by local weapons manufacturers, have been redirected by European buyers to Ukraine, despite Moscow's objections. New Delhi has chosen not to intervene to halt the trade,

NEW DELHI, (REUTERS) – Artillery shells sold by Indian arms makers have been diverted by European customers to Ukraine and New Delhi has not intervened to stop the trade despite protests from Moscow, according to 11 Indian and European government and defense industry officials, as well as a Reuters analysis of commercially available customs data.

Artillery ammunition manufactured in India is being diverted to Ukraine "despite protests from Moscow," Reuters reported on Sept. 19, citing customs data and nearly a dozen Indian and European government and defense industry officials.

The transfer of ammunition to support Ukraine’s defence against the Russian offensive has reportedly been occurring for more than a year.

India’s arms export regulations prohibit unauthorised transfers, but violations appear to have occurred as European nations like Italy and the Czech Republic purchased shells from India and supplied them to Ukraine.

Responding to the report, the Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, said such actions imply violations by India, where none exist, and hence, is "inaccurate and mischievous."

The Indian government has rejected claims by an international news agency that defence exports from India to Europe were diverted to Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs described the report as speculative and misleading,

E uropean clients are sending Ukraine casing for artillery shells produced in India. Reuters reported that India remains passive to Russia's protests, citing eleven sources from t

A report by Reuters said artillery shells by several Indian state-owned firms and sold to countries such as Italy and the Czech Republic had been diverted to Ukraine