The NDA government is making up for losses from the home front with gains abroad. India’s external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj is visiting both Palestine and Israel. Delhi has been on a tight rope striking a balance in its relations with the two. On his recent visit to the region President Pranab Mukherjee traced India’s friendship with Palestine to the sayings of Mahatma Gandhi. But the NDA government is aware of the old order changing since the establishment of diplomatic ties with Israel n 1991. There is no denying that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing his best to remain a pacifist. But the Hamas are always trying to prong Israel’s control in the Gaza strip and the west bank of Jordan. Netanyahu has to retain his seat in the face of hawks in his government wanting aggression. The fragile peace to Israel and Palestine is often fractured.
Narendra Modi is already trying to melt the ice between India and Israel. The emphasis is on defence collaboration, adapting Israel’s top technology and utilising its heavy investment potential. Israel has contributed to India’s agriculture and water treatment helping it meet the challenge of food and water security. The trade potential between India and Israel is about 5 billion dollars. Delhi’s support of the FTA at the WTO should push it forward. Industrial eco systems of the two countries should join hands. At the same time, the old tie with Palestine does not wither. Modi had amicable talks with Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas in New York last year. Sushma Swaraj also has Palestine first on her itinerary. But maybe she has set her eyes more on Israel.