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Ariel Sharon in India: Forging strategic ties
By: Prionka JhaAriel Sharon`s visit, the first ever of an Israeli Prime Minister, to India is being seen in a new light by both his friends and foes alike.
By: Prionka Jha
Ariel Sharon’s visit, the first ever of an Israeli Prime Minister, to India is being seen in a new light by both his friends and foes alike. It is a fact that formal diplomatic ties, established in 1992, with Israel have benefited India in many respects - be it in the IT sector, defence or agriculture. There is a belief that Israel is a natural ally of India in its fight against terrorism. Perhaps it is this that has driven both countries to coincide the visit on 9/11 this year. India is attaching importance to Sharon`s visit in order to finalise a number of defence deals that will also include Phalcon airborne radar systems. India had been trying to procure these Phalcon AWACS from Israel since a long time but US had vetoed it earlier. Jane`s Defence Weekly correspondent, Alon Ben David, who is also a defence analyst for Israel`s Channel 10 television believes that the deal on Phalcon planes is expected to be the largest export deal ever done in Israel. Another significant deal that India is looking forward to is the Arrow missile deal. This anti-ballistic missile system has been jointly built by Israel and Boeing Co. and requires US approval for sale since Washington funded its development. Though US had earlier objected to any Israeli transfer of Arrow missiles or technology to India, its passage or non-passage will test the US factor in Indo-Israel relations. It may be noted that after India conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, US had put pressure on Israel to halt all arms negotiations. Despite American pressure, Israel has continued to supply arms and military equipment to India. In retrospect, it can be seen that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, there have been more than 50 military related visits, which have paved way for India to draw on Israel`s successful experience in curbing terrorism. J N Dixit`s visit to Tel Aviv in the wake of Bombay blasts in 1993 confirmed the speculation that cooperation in combating terrorism was an area of common and strategic interest. Former US diplomat Harvey Feldman, who is currently senior fellow for Asian Studies at Heritage Foundation Research Institution, says that common security interests have motivated the development of military ties between Israel and India. He adds, "Israel has become over the past few years a major supplier of arms to India. I think it now ranks number two following Russia." Some experts also point out that Israel is creating a `second circle of allies`. These are countries that are not necessarily geographically close by but share common perceptions and interest. Terrorism definitely fits this new concept.
In essence, Indo-Israel relations have grown much deeper despite initial hiccups as India sees Israel as a lucrative source from where it can buy equipment to meet its military needs. In the same vein, India suits Israel beautifully. Historically, India was the only country that does not have an anti-semitic past. We both have been at the receiving end of hatred of Islamic radicals, more often than not expressed through extreme violence. India is getting closer to Israel’s strongest ally – the US. These factors make immense strategic sense. From the business point of view as well, India will mean a huge defence market and thus source of revenue for Israel. It looks at India for containing the Islamic world from the east.
It is this very reason that poses a challenge to India. Unlike Israel, India has enjoyed fairly warm relations with Muslim countries, especially Palestine. India’s getting snug with a Jewish nation may ruffle some feathers in the Arab world. India has believed in cordial relations with all nations from the start of its foreign policy since independence and would not like to be seen as taking a polarised stand. Ariel Sharon’s visit will prove to be a test case for India’s balancing act.
Ariel Sharon’s visit, the first ever of an Israeli Prime Minister, to India is being seen in a new light by both his friends and foes alike. It is a fact that formal diplomatic ties, established in 1992, with Israel have benefited India in many respects - be it in the IT sector, defence or agriculture. There is a belief that Israel is a natural ally of India in its fight against terrorism. Perhaps it is this that has driven both countries to coincide the visit on 9/11 this year. India is attaching importance to Sharon`s visit in order to finalise a number of defence deals that will also include Phalcon airborne radar systems. India had been trying to procure these Phalcon AWACS from Israel since a long time but US had vetoed it earlier. Jane`s Defence Weekly correspondent, Alon Ben David, who is also a defence analyst for Israel`s Channel 10 television believes that the deal on Phalcon planes is expected to be the largest export deal ever done in Israel. Another significant deal that India is looking forward to is the Arrow missile deal. This anti-ballistic missile system has been jointly built by Israel and Boeing Co. and requires US approval for sale since Washington funded its development. Though US had earlier objected to any Israeli transfer of Arrow missiles or technology to India, its passage or non-passage will test the US factor in Indo-Israel relations. It may be noted that after India conducted nuclear tests in May 1998, US had put pressure on Israel to halt all arms negotiations. Despite American pressure, Israel has continued to supply arms and military equipment to India. In retrospect, it can be seen that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, there have been more than 50 military related visits, which have paved way for India to draw on Israel`s successful experience in curbing terrorism. J N Dixit`s visit to Tel Aviv in the wake of Bombay blasts in 1993 confirmed the speculation that cooperation in combating terrorism was an area of common and strategic interest. Former US diplomat Harvey Feldman, who is currently senior fellow for Asian Studies at Heritage Foundation Research Institution, says that common security interests have motivated the development of military ties between Israel and India. He adds, "Israel has become over the past few years a major supplier of arms to India. I think it now ranks number two following Russia." Some experts also point out that Israel is creating a `second circle of allies`. These are countries that are not necessarily geographically close by but share common perceptions and interest. Terrorism definitely fits this new concept.
In essence, Indo-Israel relations have grown much deeper despite initial hiccups as India sees Israel as a lucrative source from where it can buy equipment to meet its military needs. In the same vein, India suits Israel beautifully. Historically, India was the only country that does not have an anti-semitic past. We both have been at the receiving end of hatred of Islamic radicals, more often than not expressed through extreme violence. India is getting closer to Israel’s strongest ally – the US. These factors make immense strategic sense. From the business point of view as well, India will mean a huge defence market and thus source of revenue for Israel. It looks at India for containing the Islamic world from the east.
It is this very reason that poses a challenge to India. Unlike Israel, India has enjoyed fairly warm relations with Muslim countries, especially Palestine. India’s getting snug with a Jewish nation may ruffle some feathers in the Arab world. India has believed in cordial relations with all nations from the start of its foreign policy since independence and would not like to be seen as taking a polarised stand. Ariel Sharon’s visit will prove to be a test case for India’s balancing act.