Modi set to become first Indian PM to visit Israel

JERUSALEM: Narendra Modi becomes the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel when he arrives today, the result of growing ties that have led to billions of dollars in defence deals.

Israel, in constant search of allies to vote in its favour at UN bodies as well as business partners, has been portraying the visit as historic.

Israeli analysts have also noted Modi will apparently not travel to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian leaders during his three-day stay, as is common for many foreign dignitaries.

Modi did however meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in New Delhi in May. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the visit, which marks 25 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations, a ‘further expression of the state of Israel’s military, economic and diplomatic strength.’

“This is a very significant step in strengthening relations between the two countries,” the Israeli leader said.

“India is a huge country with over 1.25 billion people and is one of the world’s largest, growing economies. Ties between Israel and India are on a constant upswing.”

But while Israel, with a population of some eight million, has held the visit up as a diplomatic victory, both countries have practical reasons for the trip.

India is the world’s biggest importer of defence equipment, and Israel has become one of its major suppliers.

Israeli media have reported that the two countries see more than 1 billion in defence deals each year.

India has been investing tens of billions in updating its Soviet-era military hardware to counter longstanding tensions with regional rivals China and Pakistan.

It has signed several bigticket defence deals since Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party stormed to power in 2014.

In April, state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries said India would buy nearly US$2 billion worth of weapons technology, making it the military exporting giant’s largest ever defence contract.

The deal will see IAI provide India with an advanced defence system of medium-range surfaceto-air missiles, launchers and communications technology.

It later announced a deal worth 630 million to provide India’s navy with missile defence systems.

The two countries have also cooperated on issues such as water and agriculture technology.

“I think it’s more than defence contracts,” Efraim Inbar, a former head of Israel’s BeginSadat Centre for Strategic Studies think-tank, told AFP.

“It is a common strategic agenda which includes a fear of Islamic radicalism, fears about Chinese assertiveness and in addition, of course, you cannot ignore the huge economic potential for both countries.”

Inbar added: “But for us it’s a huge market.”

India has traditionally voiced its support for Palestinian statehood, initially shunning diplomatic relations with Israel.

But the frost has thawed in recent years, with India seeking closer defence ties with Israel, particularly as New Delhi turns increasingly away from traditional ally Russia for its military hardware. – AFP