India and Israel: A Win-Win Combination

Bharat Verma

In many ways bringing covert Indo-Israel defense co-operation into open and lending it legitimacy will pay great dividends in future. Firstly New Delhi in a bold statement has signaled that it seeks to play a dominant role in Asia, which is much beyond that assigned to mere localized Indo-Pak skirmishing. India as a benevolent power is better placed than any other to lend stability in strife torn Asia, which is dotted with Islamic countries.  Secondly by inviting Prime Minister Sharon to visit India, despite odd protests by leftists, New Delhi has underlined with clarity that our national interests come first. Israel which is a major beneficiary of American technology will enable India to increase the pace of modernization of its armed forces. Those groups in India that protest and demonstrate against this historic visit are harming our vital national interests and are unwittingly defending the interests of radical Islam. Since radical Islam not only poses a threat to the world but also to moderate Islam, this is unacceptable. It also appears that these groups do not want Indian Armed Forces to be equipped with the latest armaments, war-fighting techniques and technology to emerge as a world-class military power. Lack of adequate military capabilities in the past was the singular reason for India's inability to prevent the prosperous Indian community from being kicked out of Burma, Kenya, Uganda and Fiji. Last but not the least. For opposition political parties to cry hoarse on the streets of Delhi and claim that we have given up our backing for a just solution of Palestine- Israel dispute or compromised our interests in West Asia is untrue. Prime Minister Vajpayee has clearly spelled out that our support for a just solution of the Palestinian problem continues. Despite this stated position, it is noteworthy that except Iraq, no other Arab country has ever supported us against Pakistan’s export of terrorism into our territory. It is amazing that those who protest loudly overlook the fact that President Musharraf is keen to mend fences with Israel by establishing diplomatic relations soonest!

Similarly gains to Israel by agreeing to a well-knit relationship with India are much larger than meets the eye. Firstly Israel’s foreign policy is solely driven by export of armaments to sustain its economy. Due to its special relationship with America, it is the largest beneficiary of military technology from the super power. This gives it an edge in certain technologies, which we need to incorporate in our military. Secondly the huge grants that America bestowed on Israel earlier appear to be dwindling in recent times. This reduction in United States help places Israel in a precarious position. With its economy in a deep recession, it needs to export more and more to sustain itself. Due to American restrictions in export of sensitive technologies to China or fundamentalist regimes, tie up with the second largest importer of defense armaments in Asia gives Israeli economy a major boost. Thirdly Israel requires to jointly produce and market its military hardware in a third world country to remain competitive as local cost of production are extremely high. India fits the bill in all respects. Last but not the least, overt recognition by India as the second largest power of Asia, bestows a rare legitimacy to Israel as a nation state. 

In the long run, India and Israel stand to benefit immensely from this relationship. Therefore, it will ultimately turn out to be a win-win combination for both.

Writer is the Editor of the Indian Defence Review and this piece has been reproduced here from the latest issue of the India Defence Review with his permission.