This refers to the editorial, “Friends today, forever” (July 7). Initially, India, due to its stand on Palestine, did not support the creation of Israel in 1948 but subsequently recognised it in 1950. Israel started a Consulate in Bombay in 1953 but both the countries moved to full diplomatic relations in 1992. Israel has always been India’s friend in need. As early as the India-China war in 1962, Israel helped India with 81mm and 120 mm mortars and pack howitzer artillery guns — ammunition we desperately required. New Delhi was cautious of dealing with Israel due to domestic politics and the importance of Arab factor in India’s relations with West Asia but India’s policy didn’t bear fruit.
The Arab world never supported India on Kashmir. At a time of growing Pakistan-sponsored insurgent activities in Kashmir, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation passed a resolution on Kashmir consistently criticising India, while Israel supported India on the matter. Presently, India has multidimensional engagement with Israel in defence and security, space and technology, cyberspace, agriculture etc. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first ever Indian Prime Minister who visited Israel. His visit has brought the two countries closer than ever.