Jaswant in Israel to strengthen security ties

By Atul Aneja

JERUSALEM, JUNE 30. India and Israel are all set to take stock of their relationship with the first-ever visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to the country beginning today.

Mr. Jaswant Singh, who began the first leg of his tour, called on the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), Mr. Yasser Arafat, at Ramallah today. Talks with the Palestine National Authority conclude tomorrow afternoon leading to intensive discussions with the Israeli leadership over the week- end.Both sides realise that their relationship is based on a strong strategic foundation Israel visualises a high stake in India for protecting its long-term national security interests. According to analysts, it is vital for Israel to ensure that its Arab neighbourhood is kept insulated from the South Asia's destabilising shadow. Specifically, Israel wants to ensure that mass destruction technology, including nuclear delivery systems from Pakistan, does not reach its declared foes in the Persian Gulf.

India, which has an adversarial relationship with Pakistan, can help it achieve this. Israel is keen that Iran, with which it has a troubled security relationship, does not benefit from Pakistani know-how in these fields. The Iranian shadow over Israel has become even more pronounced with the gains of the Teheran-backed Hizbollah in neighbouring Lebanon. In other words, Tel Aviv is keen on seeking Indian cooperation for driving a wedge between Sunni-dominated Pakistan and Shiite Iran.

With South East Asia emerging as an important destination for Israeli trade, Tel Aviv has an interest in India for shoring up its maritime security. In fact, India which has the largest navy in the Indian Ocean littoral is well-placed to safeguard commercial shipping lanes in this zone. Turkey and India have emerged as Israel's key partners in safeguarding its vital strategic interests in Asia.

For India, Israel has emerged as a major supplier of hi-tech weaponry. Israel, Russia and France are its main overseas suppliers of military hardware. Defence analysts estimate that Indo-Israel weapons trade in the last three years may have scaled up to around $500 millions. The two countries also share an interest in battling terrorism. The key lies in working together for ensuring that terrorism radiating from the Pakistan- Afghanistan axis and extremism in West Asia is kept separated.

Diamond trade

On the commercial side, diamonds dominate the nearly $one-billion trade. Buying and selling of diamonds take nearly, $700 millions of this trade. India, with centres in Mumbai, Surat and Bhavnagar, is the world leader in exporting small polished diamonds. Tel Aviv is a leading exporter of large diamonds and is deeply entrenched in the international diamond trading network. In fact, military equipment and diamonds comprise the largest component of Indo-Israeli trade. Mr. Jaswant Singh's visit, while deepening the Indo-Israeli security relationship is likely to focus on expanding commercial linkages. Cooperation in the hi-end computer software industry, where Israel is a world leader is a highly-promising area. The two sides can expand their relationship in the fields of agriculture and water resources.

India is yet to begin a serious economic relationship in the Palestinian areas, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. With a population of around 28 lakhs, which includes a sophisticated entrepreneurial class, there is scope for doing business.

Economic Analysts are of the view that there is scope for Indian industry in the $four-billion Palestinian economy in the hotel and smallscale industry. Indian entrepreneurs can also participate in the upcoming U.S.-backed Gaza industrial estate. The opportunities which are available here does not mean that formidable hurdles are not in the way. For instance, transit is a problem for this land-locked area. The Palestinian areas, have to depend on Israeli, Jordanian and Egyptian ports for trade. Goods can come into the Gaza through the Raffah crossing from Egypt or into the West Bank via the legendary Allenby bridge from Jordan.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Next     : PA, UNP to meet again on reforms