Israel and India have a lot in common. Both were born out of artificially drawn frontiers based on religious fault lines. Both are surrounded by an extremely hostile neighborhood which cherishes the dreams of their annihilation. Both have fought wars against their neighbors.
Both are victims to state sponsored terrorism. However, the relationship failed to gain any traction because of our lacklustre foreign policy that denied the existence of Israel for very long. Though we recognised them in 1950 but the ties did not gain any momentum. They just had an immigration office in Mumbai that got promoted to a trade office and a consulate subsequently.
Israelis have been good friends of India since 1992. India and Israel share 23 years of diplomatic ties. India and Israel work closely in sectors of Agriculture, mining, energy and of course defense. It has been India’s ally in combating terrorism. While no country has supported India in its pursuit against Pakistan, Israel has been doing it for long and very visibly and vocally so. Israel provided India with images of Pakistani locations using its UAVs during the Kargil War in 1999. India may have won the war without it but it would have taken longer and would have caused a great many causalities on the Indian side. Israel supported India’s “Operation Parakram”, a limited military strike against Pakistan in 2002, by supplying hardware through special planes.
But what has Israel got in return from India?
Nothing. Israeli officials claim that India has treated Israel as a mistress who enjoys a private relationship but fails to acknowledge it in public.
But all that is in Past. Like everything else 2014 marked the rise of a new India.
In October 2015, President Pranab Mukherjee visited Israel. The visit marked a historic political milestone as it was first such visit by an Indian president.
In January 2016, External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj visited the country.
Earlier in April this year, India signed $2 billion defense deals with Israel to increase the capability of Indian army and make it ready to face the enemy in case of any contingency. As per the deal Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will provide the Indian Army with advanced medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) systems. The Cabinet Committee on Security which is headed by the Prime Minister had cleared the deal in February. It was the single largest contract in Israeli defense industry history.
So basically, PM Modi is undoing the age-old tradition of neglecting Israelis to remain in Arab’s good books. And Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu understands the importance of it. And that’s why he is visibly excited for PM Modi’s Visit.
In a series of tweets, he underlined the importance of Modi’s visit and strong ties between the two nation.
PM Netanyahu: Next week, the Indian Prime Minister, my friend, @NarendraModi will arrive in Israel, This is an historic visit to Israel.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 25, 2017
In the 70 years of the country's existence no Indian Prime Minister has ever visited and this is further expression of Israel's strength.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 25, 2017
This is a very significant step in strengthening relations between the two countries. Ties between Israel & India are on a constant upswing.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 25, 2017
We will establish a joint innovation, and R&D fund. We will also increase tourism from India to Israel; this has very great potential.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 25, 2017
This is a very important development. The world has by and large failed to acknowledge that Israelis have been combating against a Fanatic outfit that is hell-bent on slaughtering every Israeli they can get a hold of. United Nations refuses to probe Hamas’ war crimes. The world has largely been duplicitous on the matter of Israel-Palestine and we have just toed their lines. PM Modi’s visit will undo a lot of past mistakes. Indians and Israelis united will be a force to reckon with.
