India-Israel relationship is on the upswing
The current visit of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to India highlights how both the nations are emerging from the closet to become natural allies. long- held balancing acts in India-Israel relations have gone now. With the coming of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the era of India's staid diplomatic establishment was replaced by active engagement of nations, cutting across ideological barriers of the Cold War days. It is now crystal clear that Modi has placed national interest first, while making friends and, cornering enemies. At such a crucial juncture, the arrival of President Rivlin on a six-day visit to India, reflects how pragmatism is guiding bilateral ties, banishing the lull that overshadowed it, for nearly a decade during the UPA rule.
But, thanks to former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, who first established full diplomatic ties with Israel in 1992, today, the country is reaping the benefits of an ally, which is so vital for our key advancements in defence and technology, to name a few. India-Israel partnership had witnessed rejuvenation during former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure. Indeed, Israel's immediate supply of high-powered equipment was one of the major supports our Armed Forces received to make significant gains in the Kargil conflict with Pakistan. Thus, the India-Israel bond is not just a seasonal one; it has deep roots as well. There was a time when the coming closer for both the nations was stalled by India's growing proximity to Israel's enemies in the region. It seems, under Modi, India is ready to reap the rewards of its friendship with the Jewish state in crucial areas like weapons and military equipment, technology, agriculture and also in diamonds and many more.
For Israel, beyond buttressing the traditional links, it is re-setting its relationship with an emerging superpower, when its betrothment with age-old allies is fading away. India-Israel relationship came into focus once again, when Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met his Indian counterpart in New York in September 2014, and aptly described that “sky is the limit” for both the countries, while forging ahead. Then, it was followed by the first ever visit of Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon, since the establishment of diplomatic ties, to India in February 2015. By late 2015, President Pranab Mukherjee paid a visit to Israel, which was the first ever such tour by an Indian President. His visit underscored the interest in ratcheting up the level of bilateral cooperation, despite India's long support for the Palestinian cause. Besides, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's high profile visit to the Jewish country in the beginning of 2016, gave further credence to the relationship. And now, Rivlin’s arrival and, Modi's expected visit to Israel next year, to celebrate the silver jubilee of our diplomatic relationship, will surely strengthen cooperation between the two nations.
With the change in Government at the Centre, it must be said that there is much more visibility and less shyness about India’s relationship with Israel. India does not need to be cautious about its growing nearness to Israel, just for fear of offending its Arab allies in the West Asia. After all, India’s connectivity with the Arab nations in the region has blossomed under Modi’s leadership.