Supreme Court Dismisses Petition on Arms Export Ban

The Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition on Monday, September 9, 2024, that sought to halt Indian companies from exporting military equipment to Israel amid the Gaza conflict. The petition, filed by former civil servants and activists, argued that the exports violated international laws such as the Genocide Convention. However, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud ruled that such decisions fall under the purview of the government, not the judiciary, emphasizing that foreign policy decisions are the jurisdiction of the executive branch. The court highlighted that interfering in such matters could have significant geopolitical and economic repercussions and that India's obligations under international treaties must be interpreted by the government. Additionally, the court noted that similar logic applies to other international conflicts, such as India's import of oil from Russia during its war with Ukraine. The ruling underscores the separation of powers within the Indian constitutional framework, affirming that the judiciary cannot mandate changes in foreign policy or international trade agreements.