India’s Role in the Ukraine Conflict

The ongoing war in Ukraine has become an international crisis, with global powers maneuvering for influence while the human cost rises daily. While much of the focus is on the major powers involved—Russia, the United States, and NATO—an unlikely player has quietly emerged: India. A recent report reveals that Indian-made ammunition and artillery shells are being exported to Ukraine, but with a twist: they are first being sent to intermediary countries such as Italy, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom before being transferred to Ukrainian forces.

This revelation casts a new light on India’s position in the conflict, one that is often seen as neutral or non-aligned. India has historically maintained a policy of strategic autonomy, emphasizing diplomatic ties with both Russia and the West. Yet this new ammunition supply chain signals a shift in India’s role—one that must be carefully scrutinized, given its implications for international relations and the ethical dimension of its involvement.

The Supply Chain

The ammunition in question includes sophisticated artillery shells, critical to Ukraine’s military operations against Russian forces. In 2024 alone, Indian manufacturer M/S YIL has exported over 80,000 155mm shells to Italy. These shells were then redirected to Ukraine, where they are used in the ongoing conflict. Similarly, India’s M/S YIL and other local manufacturers have been supplying large quantities of 155mm artillery shells to the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom. This includes a contract valued at $125 million to the UK, which will be processed through a Bulgarian intermediary.

These exports raise several key questions. First, what is the nature of India’s involvement in a war it has repeatedly claimed to stay neutral in? By supplying ammunition, albeit through third parties, is India indirectly supporting one side of a violent geopolitical struggle? And if so, what does this mean for India’s delicate balancing act on the global stage?

A Changing Landscape

India’s relationship with Russia has long been one of its most significant geopolitical alliances, rooted in defense and energy deals. However, as the Ukraine war has unfolded, India has been careful in its stance, abstaining from UN votes condemning Russia while simultaneously calling for peace talks. At the same time, India’s ties with the West, particularly the United States and the European Union, have strengthened, driven by shared interests in countering China’s rise and economic cooperation.

The export of ammunition to Ukraine, albeit via intermediaries, may be seen as an attempt to support the Western-backed defense of Ukraine while maintaining plausible deniability. It is a delicate diplomatic dance. By not exporting directly to Ukraine, India avoids direct confrontation with Russia, yet it still participates, perhaps more indirectly, in a war that has become one of the world’s most polarizing conflicts.

The question remains: can India afford to sit on the sidelines as its arms exports fuel one side of this brutal war, or is this a pragmatic decision meant to safeguard national interests in a rapidly changing world order?

Implications for India’s Global Standing

India’s growing ammunition exports to intermediary countries must be understood in the broader context of its geopolitical ambitions. As a rising power, India’s global influence is inextricably tied to its economic and military capacity. Arms manufacturing and exports are a significant component of this, with India being one of the world’s largest arms exporters. Its military-industrial complex has seen rapid growth, and countries like Ukraine, which are in desperate need of supplies, offer lucrative markets for India’s defense sector.

However, India’s involvement, even indirectly, raises the specter of a deeper entanglement in the conflict. If these indirect exports continue, there is a risk that India will be drawn into the moral and strategic crossfire between Russia and the West, potentially alienating key partners and exacerbating tensions with Russia. India’s stance on this war could thus evolve, either solidifying its role as a supplier of critical military resources or forcing it to reassess its position amid global pressure.

Furthermore, India’s involvement in this supply chain brings to the forefront the ethics of arms trading in times of war. The international community is already grappling with the role of arms manufacturers and suppliers in fueling conflicts. By supplying ammunition to third parties that are then funneled into a warzone, India risks being complicit in the ongoing violence, even if it remains an arms trader rather than a direct participant.

A Time for Reflection

The revelations surrounding Indian ammunition exports serve as a stark reminder of the complex, often murky, nature of modern warfare and international diplomacy. As global citizens, we must ask ourselves where we stand when it comes to arms exports, especially in conflicts that are as politically charged and ethically fraught as the war in Ukraine.

For India, the path forward is uncertain. As it navigates its strategic priorities, India must consider whether its involvement in these supply chains aligns with its broader goals, including regional stability, global leadership, and human rights. While economic and defense cooperation will always be crucial, India may find that its international standing is increasingly linked not just to the weapons it manufactures but to the role it chooses to play in a world torn apart by war.

At the heart of the issue lies an uncomfortable truth: in today’s geopolitical landscape, even the most neutral powers cannot escape the consequences of indirect participation in conflict. For India, the question is not just about its diplomatic future, but the moral responsibility it bears in a world that watches and remembers.