Amnesty International Flags India's Arms Exports to Israel Over Legal Risks
Amnesty International warns India's weapons exports to Israel may violate international law.
Why it matters: This scrutiny puts a spotlight on arms export regulations and potential legal risks for defense contractors and experts amid the Gaza conflict.
- Amnesty International released the report on August 1, 2026, citing India's arms sales to Israel may aid violations in Gaza.
- India exported $48.45 million worth of arms and related parts to Israel in 2025.
- Amnesty calls for an arms embargo on Israel, Hamas, and Palestinian armed groups over violations of international humanitarian law.
- India's total defense exports reached approximately $5.1 billion in FY 2025-26, up 62.66% year-over-year.
On August 1, 2026, Amnesty International released a report warning that India's export of weapons to Israel may violate international law amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. The group alleges these exports contribute to serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including what it terms genocide in Gaza.
In 2025, India exported arms, ammunition, parts, and accessories valued at US$48.45 million to Israel, as reported by Trading Economics. This forms part of India's broader defense export growth, reaching approximately Rs 38,424 crore (around US$5.1 billion) in fiscal year 2025-26, marking a 62.66% increase from the prior year.
Amnesty International has broadly called for comprehensive arms embargoes targeting Israel, Hamas, and other Palestinian armed groups due to documented human rights violations, as outlined on their arms control page. Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty's Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, criticized Germany's recent decision to resume weapons shipments to Israel as "reckless" and "unlawful," reinforcing Amnesty's call for global accountability.
The report's findings raise substantial legal and compliance questions around India's arms exports and their alignment with international law, potentially impacting defense manufacturers and international law practitioners monitoring arms trade ethics during conflicts.
By the numbers:
- $48.45 million — value of India's arms exports to Israel in 2025
- Rs 38,424 crore (~$5.1 billion) — India's total defense exports in FY 2025-26
- 62.66% — increase in India's defense exports from previous fiscal year
Yes, but: Details on specific types of weapons exported by India to Israel are not publicly available, nor is there a known response from the Indian government yet.
What's next: Further scrutiny of India's arms exports is expected as international groups monitor compliance amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.