India-Israel Relations: Milestones in Chronological Order

This timeline highlights both major and minor milestones in India-Israel relations, offering context and explaining the importance of each event:

Early Years (1947-1991):

• 1950: India recognizes Israel but refrains from establishing full diplomatic relations, aligning with its non-aligned policy and support for Palestinian self-determination.
• 1970s & 80s: Limited cooperation, primarily in agriculture and intelligence sharing, takes place discreetly.

The Shift: Building Ties (1992-2000):

• 1992: Establishment of full diplomatic relations. This marks a watershed moment driven by the end of the Cold War, India's economic liberalization, and shared security concerns, particularly regarding terrorism.
• 1999: Kargil War. Israel emerges as a crucial defense supplier to India during the conflict, providing vital surveillance equipment and laser-guided missiles. This event underscores the growing strategic partnership.

Strengthening Partnership (2000-2014):

• 2000: Ariel Sharon becomes the first Israeli Prime Minister to visit India. This high-profile visit symbolizes the growing warmth in bilateral relations and leads to agreements on counter-terrorism and defense cooperation.
• 2003: India opens an embassy in Tel Aviv. This move reflects the deepening engagement beyond security cooperation.
• 2008: Mumbai Terror Attacks. The attacks, partly orchestrated with Pakistani support, further solidify the shared security concerns of India and Israel, leading to intensified intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism cooperation.

The Modi Era: Overt Embrace (2014-Present):

• 2014: Narendra Modi becomes the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. This historic visit signifies a paradigm shift in Indian foreign policy, publicly embracing the India-Israel partnership and moving beyond the constraints of the Palestinian issue.
• 2017: Benjamin Netanyahu becomes the first Israeli Prime Minister to visit India in 15 years. The visit focuses on expanding cooperation beyond defense to areas like water management, agriculture, and technology.
• 2018: India abstains from a UN vote condemning the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. This move, a departure from India's traditional stance, underscores the growing importance New Delhi places on its ties with Israel.
• 2019: India cancels a $500 million anti-tank missile deal with Israel under pressure from Iran. This incident highlights the complexities of balancing relations in a volatile region.
• 2020: Abraham Accords. While not a direct participant, India welcomes the normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states, recognizing their potential for regional stability and economic cooperation.

Present and Beyond:

India and Israel today share a robust strategic partnership encompassing defense, technology, agriculture, water management, and counter-terrorism. Despite some occasional challenges, the relationship is expected to continue growing stronger, driven by shared interests and a pragmatic approach to global affairs.

Importance:

Understanding the milestones in India-Israel relations is crucial for comprehending:

• The shift in Indian foreign policy: Moving from a policy prioritizing non-alignment and Arab solidarity to a more pragmatic approach focusing on national interests.
• The dynamics of the Middle East: The growing convergence of interests between India and Israel is reshaping regional alliances and influencing geopolitical equations.
• The future of the relationship: As India and Israel deepen their engagement across diverse sectors, their partnership is likely to play an increasingly significant role on the global stage.