An Israeli soldier carries a heavy shell past battle tanks deployed at a position along the border with the Gaza Strip and southern Israel on December 31, 2023. | Photo Credit: AFP In the initial days of the Gaza offensive, Israel required artillery shells but India took a “policy decision” not to supply them, according to defence sources, who also stated that India is “firmly neutral” between Russia and Ukraine and has taken a stand to “not supply kinetic equipment” to either of them. “In the initial days of their Gaza offensive, they needed artillery shells, 155mm and 105mm; but we took a policy decision not to supply them. Israel itself is unable to honour its commitments. What they are supposed to supply, they are using it for themselves,” a defence source with knowledge of the matter said on condition of anonymity, while stressing that “there is very little that really goes from India.” This also highlights India’s vulnerabilities due to its extreme dependency on defence imports. Deliveries of systems, spares, supplies and ammunition have …