INDIA
Biz friends or strategic partners?
The warmth of bonhomie and personal chemistry between PM Modi and his visiting Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu was in full display on Sunday, as the latter arrived here on a six-day visit. But the experts feel that due to geo-strategic situation and an array of factors that makes both countries to look issues like terrorism and other interests differently, the relations between the two countries will remain transactional, rather than evolving into a strategic partnership.
Setting aside protocol, Modi received his Israeli counterpart with a hug upon arrival. "Welcome to India, my friend PM Netanyahu! Your visit to India is historic and special. It will further cement the close friendship between our nations," Modi tweeted. Netanyahu's visit to India is only the second one by an Israeli prime minister, and comes after a gap of 15 years. "Indian Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi is a close friend of Israel and of mine and I appreciate the fact that he will accompany me on extensive parts of my visit," Netanyahu said just before leaving for New Delhi
Netanyahu arrived here within six months of Modi's visit to Israel, which was the first trip to Israel by any South Asian leader. Over past 25 years, since both countries set up diplomatic ties, Israel has become India's major defence supplier and source of critical technologies in diverse areas including water, agriculture, energy, information technology and innovation. Both prime ministers share an interest in wordplay; hence, Netanyahu has named the "Israel India Innovation Initiative Fund", I4F, while Modi uses the term "I4I" for "India for Israel and Israel for India", conveying both mutual personal camaraderie and the solid substance of the relationship in frontier areas.
Observers in Tel Aviv are keenly watching this visit, as Israeli PM is in thick of various allegations. Lately, Israeli media has been targeting him for a leaked audio recording of his son Yair Netanyahu boasting about how his father pushed through a $20 billion gas deal to the benefit of gas tycoon Kobi Maimon. Netanyahu is already under investigation in two unrelated criminal cases, which involve allegations of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Analysts believe that takeaway from India would be crucial for the Israeli PM as he is heading a government with a razor thin majority. Apart from the traditional defence cooperation and water management and conservation areas, the current visit is aimed at expanding the opportunities for Israel in India to help the export-driven Israeli economy to tap new emerging markets.
Former diplomat and an expert on Middle East affairs Talmeez Ahmed believes that despite the bonhomie and personal chemistry between the leaders there are serious limitations to India-Israel relations: they will remain transactional in character and never attain the level of a strategic partnership. Among various factors, one of them included India not sharing Israel's visceral animosity for Iran and Syria. Israel too against India's declaratory policy has welcomed the China's Belt and Road Initiative and does not share India's deep concerns related to Beijing's expansion in Indian Ocean region. Another former diplomat M.K. Bhadrakumar, who has also served in the region, believes that there was the logic of India's expanding defence and security ties with Israel, but the "aura of romance" surrounding the relationship was unwarranted. He points out that beyond the Palestinian issue, there are several important differences between Indian and Israeli perceptions on matters of national security.
Hriday Sarma, scholar at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), believes that to end its isolation Israel was increasingly coming out of shell to win trust of the large international community to counter the growing Boycott Israel campaigns worldwide. "The country needs trusted long-term partners, likewise to the US, that holds similar democratic values and maintains resolute stand against all forms of terror. An obvious option is India," he maintains. India, on the other hand, he believes needs to scale down its expectation of winning over a technologically superior state, Israel, with mere political overtures. "It needs to comprehend the nuances of political and economic motives of the country. Based on that, India should attempt to build a practical relationship that incorporates interest of divergent parties within the country and consider the outside reality," he added.
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