Israel on Wednesday denied reports that it had sold military equipment and arms to Pakistan and stressed that it would not do anything that might undermine India’s national security.
The Defence Ministry of Israel issued the statement via the Israeli Embassy here, in response to a report by the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which issues export licence permits, that the Jewish state had sold arms and security equipment to Pakistan, Egypt, Algeria, UAE and Morocco.
Following the UK datelined report, Israel came out with a statement saying that it “strongly denies selling any military equipment to Pakistan”. “Israel has long-standing strategic relationship with India, a democracy that also understands what it means to fight terror, and a country we see as a strategic anchor in global affairs,” the communique said.
“The State of Israel would not do anything that could undermine India’s security,” it added.
It said the country’s Defence Ministry will take up the matter with the UK Department to get the necessary clarifications regarding the official report.
The British report said that Israel had applied for permits in 2010 to export electronic warfare systems and, head-up cockpit displays (HUDs) with British components to Pakistan.
The following year, Israel sought permits to export radar systems, HUDs, parts of fighter jets, components of training aircraft and military electronic systems.