FRESH AIR

Netanyahu in India

January 17, 2018 | Sharyn Mittelman

Netanyahu in India

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a historic visit to India to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two nations. The formal relationship only began in 1992 with the end of the Cold War, but today it is flourishing with trade and investment estimated to be around US$5 billion annually. The two countries are cooperating on a range of issues including trade, defence, tourism, agriculture and water technologies. It is the first visit by an Israeli PM to India since Ariel Sharon’s visit 15 years ago.

During this visit, India and Israel have signed nine agreements including Memorandums of Understanding in the fields of gas, oil, renewable energy and cyber security. In addition, agreements were signed for a joint industrial research and development deal and an update to an aviation agreement, as were agreements in health and space exploration. A free trade agreement (FTA) is reportedly being negotiated, which could increase annual trade to around $15 billion.

The trip builds upon the diplomatic achievements made when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel around six months ago – the first visit to Israel by an Indian Prime Minister.  Agreements signed between Israel and India in 2017 include the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund, a five-year, US$40 million fund, which will be used to encourage partnerships between Israeli and Indian innovators, as well as the “India-Israel Innovation Bridge” a platform for Israeli and Indian entrepreneurs and startups to collaborate on innovative projects related to water, agriculture, and health.

The current visit is intended to focus on expanding business relations, with the Israeli PM’s entourage including around 130 Israeli businesspeople representing some 100 companies. While Israel and India have a growing trade relationship, some believe it only scratches the surface of what could be achieved, as Israeli exports to India are only around 3 percent of Israel’s total exports. As India has one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, greater cooperation with Israel’s booming start up scene would likely bring significant mutual benefits.

The personal friendship between Modi and Netanyahu has helped steer the diplomatic relationship forward. Both leaders view their nations as having common values and challenges – modern democracies that draw upon historical traditions and face common challenges including terrorism and undemocratic neighbours. Moreover, the political relationship has strengthened since Modi’s Bharatiya Janara Party (BJP) came to power in 2014, as the BJP has sought to strengthen ties with Israel.

Netanyahu said that the visit “heralds the flourishing of our friendship,” and added, “We are ushering today a new era in our relations. We’ve had diplomatic relations for 25 years but something different is happening now because of your leadership and because of our partnership. There are three things that bind our countries together: The first is that we have an ancient past. The second is that we have a vibrant present. And the third is that we are seizing together a promising future.”

Moreover, addressing the Raisina Dialogue, Netanyahu spoke of their common challenges:

“Our way of life is being challenged. Most notably, the quest for modernity, the quest for innovation is being challenged by radical Islam and its terrorist offshoots from a variety of corners, and this can upset the international system. I think that one of the ways to overcome such a challenge is to strengthen the relationship between our two great democracies. The alliance of democracies I think is important to secure our common future. I believe that the possibilities are endless. We have discussed in this visit how we can strengthen our two nations in the civilian areas, in the security areas, in every area. It is something l look forward to do.”

Today, Israel is one of the largest military suppliers to India. Israel exports an average of $1 billion of military equipment each year to India.  However, on a sour note late last year India decided to cancel a $500 million deal with Israeli arms manufacturer Rafael for Spike anti-tank missiles. Netanyahu told India Today that he is seeking to resolve this issue and find an “equitable solution”, and on Wednesday he annouced that the deal is back on the table. Moreover, the defence relationship reaches beyond arms trade to include counter-terrorism, cyber security, homeland security, border management and intelligence sharing, as well as cooperation with air forces and navies.

Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, India has generally attempted to remain neutral while supporting a two-state outcome. However, in recent years it appears that India is attempting to treat its relationship with Israel as separate to its relationship with the Palestinians. India has also changed its voting pattern at the UN to occasionally abstain on Palestinian-sponsored resolutions, rather than join the automatic majority against Israel.

However, in December India voted in favour of the United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Commenting on India’s vote, Netanyahu said, “Naturally I am disappointed but I think this visit is a testament to the fact that our relationship is moving forward on so many fronts.”

Despite what Netanyahu has called a “marriage made in heaven”, there are areas of disagreement between the two nations, including India’s trade with Iran. However, Israel is not letting these issues distract from its growing friendship.

On Thursday the Israeli PM will also visit the Chabad-run Jewish centre that was targeted in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and unveil a memorial to 166 people killed in the Mumbai attacks.  Netanyahu is accompanied by 11-year-old Moshe Holtzberg, whose parents – Rabbi Gabriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife Rivkah, were killed in the attack on the Jewish centre. Moshe was two years-old at the time of the attack and was saved by his Indian nanny who received Israeli citizenship.  There will also be a special memorial for Moshe’s parents, who dedicated their lives to establishing the Chabad centre.

As Sreeram Chaulia, Dean at the Jindal School of International Affairs in Sonipat India, writes in the Jerusalem Post, “Netanyahu is bringing along to India a 11-year-old Jewish boy whose parents were mercilessly killed by Pakistani terrorists in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. It is a poignant sight loaded with symbolism and a reminder to the world that Israel and India are coordinating at the level of intelligence agencies and military training to fight the jihadist scourge. In fields like counter-radicalism, border management and cyber security, Tel Aviv and New Delhi are bosom friends for life. The sentiment is emotional in these spheres since both countries are motivated by a feeling of common victimhood. Had Israel and India limited their exchanges to a purely transactional level, they would not have attained the present heightened equilibrium. Theirs is a bond to cherish and nurture.”

The relationship between Israel and India is truly special, and it has become much more than diplomatic, it is one of friendship between its leaders and its people. This trip will no doubt continue to deepen the relationship and take it to new heights.

Sharyn Mittelman

 

Tags: ,

RELATED ARTICLES

(image: Shutterstock/Svet Foto)

Military strikes alone won’t stop the Houthis without direct pressure on Iran

Mar 20, 2025 | Featured, Fresh AIR
Image: X

Pay-for-Slay is likely still Pay-for-Slay

Mar 7, 2025 | Fresh AIR
Image: X

The missing pieces of the Thai hostages story

Feb 21, 2025 | Fresh AIR
Damaged section of Kamal Adwan Hospital (image: World Health Organisation)

The latest IDF raid on the Kamal Adwan Hospital debunks absurd UN report

Jan 9, 2025 | Featured, Fresh AIR
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (left), the late Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and the late commander of the IRGC's Qods Force Qassem Soleimani

The Axis of Resistance is not dead yet

Dec 19, 2024 | Featured, Fresh AIR
Iranian women being ushered into a van by "Morality police" (Image: X)

Iranian human rights have significantly worsened since the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests

Dec 18, 2024 | Featured, Fresh AIR
D11a774c 2a47 C987 F4ce 2d642e6d9c8d

Bibi in DC, the Houthi threat and the politicised ICJ opinion

Jul 26, 2024 | Update
Image: Shutterstock

Nine months after Oct. 7: Where Israel stands now

Jul 10, 2024 | Update
Palestinian Red Crescent workers from Al-Najjar Hospital in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip (Image: Shutterstock)

Hamas’ impossible casualty figures

Mar 28, 2024 | Update
455daec3 C2a8 8752 C215 B7bd062c6bbc

After the Israel-Hamas ceasefire for hostages deal

Nov 29, 2023 | Update
Screenshot of Hamas bodycam footage as terrorists approach an Israeli vehicle during the terror organisation's October 7, 2023 attack in southern Israel, released by the IDF and GPO (Screenshot)

Horror on Video / International Law and the Hamas War

Oct 31, 2023 | Update
Sderot, Israel. 7th Oct, 2023. Bodies of dead Israelis lie on the ground following the attacks of Hamas (Image: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa/Alamy Live News)

Israel’s Sept. 11, only worse

Oct 11, 2023 | Update
Screenshot 2025 03 28 At 11.35.48 AM

The day after the end of the Gaza war – and the new opportunities it presents: Ehud Yaari at the Sydney Institute

Mar 28, 2025 | Featured, Video
Screenshot

Jonathan Conricus in conversation with Joel Burnie

Feb 24, 2025 | Featured, Video
Sydney, January 2025 (Image: X)

Reacting to the latest antisemitic attacks: Colin Rubenstein on SBS Hebrew radio

Feb 3, 2025 | Video
Screenshot

Antisemitic bomb plot “a massive escalation”: Colin Rubenstein on Sky News

Jan 30, 2025 | Featured, Video
(Image: screenshot)

Antisemitism database “first step of many more that need to be taken”: Dr Colin Rubenstein on ABC TV

Jan 22, 2025 | Featured, Video
Screenshot 2024 12 20 At 12.44.43 PM

AIJAC speaks out against hate… Will you join us?

Dec 20, 2024 | Featured, Video

RECENT POSTS

A “deep well of hatred” in segments of the Muslim community contributed to the recent outburst  of extremism and antisemitism in Australia (Image: Diana Zavaleta/ Shutterstock)

Essay: The Politics of Hatred

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (left) may hint at agreeing to nuclear negotiations, but it is Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (right) who will ultimately make the decision (Image: Khamenei.ir)

Iran: Moving beyond diplomatic delusions

A statue of Moses holding the Ten Commandments (Image: Shutterstock)

The Last Word: One Story

Israeli PM Netanyahu controversially announces he needs to fire Shit Bet chief Ronen Bar (Screenshot)

Marching toward controversy and division

With leader Alice Weidel, Germany's Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) have a presentable face, but Europe's Jewish communities remain wary of far right populism (Image: Shutterstock)

Europa Europa: Going to extremes

SORT BY TOPICS