India and West Asia: Israel

Viewpoint

• India-Israel relations have evolved significantly since their formal establishment in 1992. 
• The relationship encompasses various domains including defense, agriculture, technology, and trade.

Key Milestones

• 1947: India voted against the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine.
• 1950: India recognized the existence of Israel.
• 1992: Full diplomatic relations were established.
• 2017: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Israel, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel, elevating ties to a strategic partnership.
• 2021: Formation of the I2U2 Group, aimed at fostering collaboration between India, Israel, the UAE, and the USA.
• 2023: Joint celebration of 30 years of diplomatic relations.

Areas of Cooperation

1. Historical Context
   • Initial Non-Recognition: India initially refrained from establishing diplomatic relations with Israel due to its alignment with the Non-Aligned Movement and support for Palestine.
   • Formal Diplomatic Relations (1992): In 1992, under PM P.V. Narasimha Rao, India formally established full diplomatic ties with Israel, marking a turning point in bilateral relations.
2. Strategic and Defense Cooperation
   • Defense Trade: Israel has emerged as one of India’s leading defence suppliers, providing advanced weaponry, drones, and missile systems, such as the Barak missile systems and Heron drones.
   • Joint Exercises and Intelligence Sharing: The two nations regularly conduct joint exercises and share intelligence on counter-terrorism, cyber security, and other strategic concerns.
   • Operation Juniper Falcon: The first-ever joint military exercise held in 2018 to deepen military cooperation.
3. Agricultural Collaboration
   • Israeli Expertise in Water and Agriculture:
     • Israel’s innovative agricultural techniques, especially in water management and drip irrigation, have helped India address challenges in dry regions. 
     • For Example: Israel’s Netafim drip irrigation system has significantly boosted agricultural productivity in Maharashtra.
   • Centres of Excellence:
     • Under the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project (IIAP), multiple Centers of Excellence have been established across India to improve crop productivity and water efficiency.
     • For Example:The Center of Excellence in Karnal, Haryana has revolutionised horticulture.
4. Trade and Economic Relations
   • Growing Trade Volume: Bilateral trade has increased significantly, covering diverse sectors like agriculture, IT, and chemicals. The annual trade value stands at around $6-7 billion.
   • Potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Talks are ongoing for a comprehensive FTA to further boost economic ties.
   • High-Tech Partnership: Focus on collaboration in high-tech sectors such as IT, biotechnology, and space science.
   • Key Imports and Exports:
     • India imports electronics, fertilizers, and high-tech equipment from Israel.
     • India exports chemicals, textiles, and diamonds to Israel.
5. Science and Technology Cooperation
   • Space Collaboration: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Israel Space Agency (ISA) collaborate on satellite launches and data sharing.
   • Start-Up Innovation: Indian and Israeli startups engage in partnerships in areas like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. Israel’s Technion University collaborates with IITs in India to promote R&D.
   • Technology Transfer: Israel has shared critical defence technologies, enhancing India’s defence manufacturing capacity under Make in India.
6. People-to-People Ties
   • Tourism and Cultural Exchange: Thousands of Israeli tourists visit India, particularly places like Goa and Himachal Pradesh. Similarly, Indian pilgrims travel to Israel for religious visits.
   • Jewish Community in India: India hosts a small Jewish community, which has contributed to the cultural and social fabric of the country. Notable communities exist in Mumbai, Kochi, and Pune.
   • Bollywood in Israel: India’s cultural influence is growing, with Bollywood films gaining popularity in Israel.

Challenges

• Political Sensitivities: Balancing relations with Arab countries and the Palestinian cause.
• Regional Security: Addressing regional security concerns and fostering stability.
• Future Focus: Strengthening high-tech partnerships and expanding cooperation in various sectors.
• Palestine Issue: India continues to support a two-state solution and maintains a delicate balance by supporting Palestinian rights while deepening ties with Israel.
• Iran Factor: India and Israel have differing positions on Iran, a key energy supplier for India but a security threat for Israel.
• Geopolitical Balancing: India has to balance its relations with the Arab world, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which are significant trading partners and sources of energy.

Recent Development

• Netanyahu’s Visit to India (2018): Marked a milestone in the relationship, leading to agreements on cybersecurity, agriculture, and water conservation.
• UN Votes: India has occasionally voted against Israel in UN resolutions, such as on settlements, to maintain its traditional stance on Palestine, but this hasn’t significantly impacted bilateral relations