By Kanchi Gupta
Modi’s election could help the two countries solidify their cooperation in trade and defense.
Even though the election manifesto of India’s ruling BJP stresses improving relations with the country’s immediate neighbors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong ties with Israel have raised the possibility of a deeper engagement between both countries. According to news reports, Modi has expressed his desire to “deepen and develop” ties with Israel to Prime Minister Binjamin Netanyahu. While the Indian National Congress-led government did not initiate any diplomatic outreach towards Israel, Modi visited Tel Aviv in 2006 when he held the post of chief minister in Gujarat. India has collaborated with Israel in many areas, especially counter-terrorism and defense. Gujarat, in particular, has deep infrastructure development and investment links with Israel.
India recognized the State of Israel in 1950 and established de-jure diplomatic ties. But it took until 1992 to establish full diplomatic relations. The Indian leadership was sympathetic to the Palestinian struggle and opposed the creation of a state based on religion. It’s large Muslim population and ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir were critical factors in determining New Delhi’s approach to relations with Israel. They were compounded by the possibility of Arab support for Pakistan in the event India’s relations with Israel improved.
India was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, which combined with Israel’s invasion of Sinai in 1956 and the Arab-Israeli wars of 1967 and 1973, also influenced ties. The end of the Cold War and India’s economic liberalization created space for relations with Israel to improve. After the former Soviet Union and China established diplomatic relations with Israel, India announced its decision to follow suit.
Read the full story at The Diplomat