During the recent hostilities between the Hamas and Israel in the Gaza strip, the UPA government decidedly took a stand in support of the Palestinians. But it does not appear to have soured relations between Israel and India. Israel’s defence minister Moshe Ya’alon on his visit to Delhi said that his country was ready to share expertise and technology with India. He discussed ways of cooperation between the two countries with Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had had friendly talks with Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu at the UN General Assembly last year. Israel’s relations with India have become strong because of common values and interests coupled with mutual respect. Both countries would like to collaborate on security and defence. Regarding Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Isreali defence minister said that he was highly impressed by the Indian pavilion of Aero India in Bangalore which showed beginnings of cooperation between Indian and Israeli companies.
Moshe Ya’alon made it clear that Isreal’s relationship with India did not target any other country as both wanted global peace. India could help bridge the gulf between Israel and countries hostile to it. All this appears to mark a change in India’s foreign policy equations. As long as India showed a tilt to the Soviet bloc, Delhi was decidedly against Tel Aviv. Following the breakup of the Soviet bloc, India and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1992. Modi’s chemistry with US President Barack Obama has strengthened India’s policy of equidistance with all powerful nations. Strategic and economic ties between India and Israel will only be welcome.
