By Tom Brennan
The media recently carried a news story about Israel’s sale of 8,000 anti-tank missiles to India.The half billion USD agreement is an ongoing element of an expanding and promising relationship between the nation of 6.2 million and a superpower of almost a billion. Both have much in common and since their founding in the 1948 changes in what was then the British Colonial Empire. Both nations have more common ground than meets the immediate eye, especially to Western observers.From high tech to defense, an Asian superpower and Israel are forging a working partnership.
Israel has impressed other nations with its stability, strength and business development. Both have seen serious issues with Muslim populations and still are at odds with them. Both are nuclear powers and democracies with wide variations in their populations. Both can report an amazing success in governing disparate populations effectively. Few if any other nations have been able to develop along these super-multi-cultural lines and still preserve and encourage a national identity to be shared by all citizens.
The missile deal is only the most recent development in this Middle East and Asian relationship. Since diplomatic relations were opened the Prime Ministers of each have met face to face only twice but military, technological and business relationships have fostered and multiplied. Recently former PM Peres met with the newly elected President, Mr. Narenda Modi and discussed a muti-national agricultural technology project, a “green revolution”. India’s huge population combined with the scientific and technical capital of Israel and India will guarantee significant progress with global benefits.
Both nations are developing plans for military and business cyber security. India has been an internet and computing giant for years. Both nations face constant hacks, malware and cyber invasion attacks on their banking and defense systems. Trade agreements, startup collaborations with Israeli and Indian entrepreneurs and a general agreement on mutually beneficial results are increasing almost daily. Israel and India both seem to share populations with a particular savvy of science and technology. Many web and software development companies are India-based. Israel’s high numbers of high tech startups on top 20 lists is astounding for a nation of its size. Israel and India are space-faring nations with satellite and launcher capabilities as well.
A free trade agreement between Israel and India has been in the talking stage since 2008. Both nations are also exporting agricultural products to Russia as well. The common ground is expanding as the two nations combine talent and high tech resources.
In defense both the high tech giants are developing creative working relationships. Both have neighbor who are unfriendly and threatening. Both have border problems and are sharing information on how to control large areas of possible hostile entry with cost effective monitoring devices such as drones. Both have seen terrorist incidents, closer cooperation is in discussion to share intelligence and work out effective cooperation as well.
Popular support for Israel, even as the United States and European governments waver and hesitate ,is growing in India. A recent demonstration by 20,000 plus persons in Kolkota stressed visible and whole hearted support from Indian citizens for Israel. Jews from India are making aliyah, the Bnei Menashe who claim descent from the Tribe of Manasseh who were exiled by the Assyrians into the world number over 500 in the last year. The Law of the Return knows no limits. They bring a culture from a world that most do not associate with Judaism. Somehow as these refugees from the time of Assyria return home, they bring with them a friend who sees the value of working with Israel and values the stability and courage of this place. India and Israel, somehow a relationship 2500 years in the making is being renewed.
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