Indian Defence Review

In the present global world, intelligence co-operation has become a major pillar in bilateral relations of the states. History of intelligence sharing can be traced from the Second World War, when an intelligence alliance was established between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK, and USA, known as ‘Five Eyes’, all these countries were bound by “UKUSA agreement”[1], a joint treaty of intelligence co-operation. A system administer of CIA Edward Snowden revealed that the NSA of the United States America shares raw intelligence with Israel. CIA’s relationship with Jordanian intelligence agency mukhbarat is not hidden from the international community.

India recognized the state of Israel in September 1950, but the history of their warm relationship starts from 1992, with the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with each other. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, India and Israel have enlarged collaboration in defence and intelligence ventures. India has emerged as one of the biggest market for the arms export for Israel. It is providing India with most up-to-date weaponry such as surface-to-air missiles, sophisticated sensors to use in LOC areas of Jammu and Kashmir, remotely piloted drones and artillery. The common rising threat of global terrorism has created a strong strategic bond between the two. The robustness of India-Israel relations marked in the Israeli Prime Minister Benzamin Netanyahu’s statement in a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Nerendra Modi on 29 September 2014 in New York, Netanyahu told Modi that “sky is the limit” as far as the prospects of India and Israel relationship goes. Israel’s rapid response to India’s request for military assistance during 1999 Kargil war[2] increased Israel’s trustworthiness as a dependable arms supplier and helped to strengthen the bilateral relationship.[3]India’s relations with Israel entered in a new era when Indian Prime minister invited Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on a three days visit to India in September 2003.

The Indo-Israeli rapprochement is not only limited to military equipments but moves further with intelligence sharing. Israel’s highly developed spy satellite ‘Polaris’ was installed into space by an Indian space launch vehicle that would also permit India to use certain images from this satellite. Counter-terrorism and intelligence sharing are two significant field of India-Israel cooperation, according to Ashraf Javed intelligence agencies of the both of the countries have robustly followed close co-operation to achieve common strategic goals. In 1968 when the Research and Analysis Wing (Indian External Intelligence) established, Rameshwar Nath Kao was asked by Indira Gandhi to develop relationship with Mossad[4]. A rediff story in 2003 covered that the RAW and Mossad are having secret military intelligence contact since 1960s, Israel was willing to help to the Indian army in its conflict with china and Pakistan. The relations between the two external intelligence agencies were an undisclosed saga until Morarji Desai came into power.

After 9/11 attacks on USA, Israeli military and intelligence officials under the leadership National Security Advisor, Uzi Dayan met with their Indian counterpart to discuss the nations’ common danger[5]. Mumbai attack in 2008 paved a way to creation of a joint working group to fight against terrorism. Just after the attacks Israel offered India homeland security assistance and counter- terror capabilities, in response to this, Maharashtra government also sent a delegation to Israel[6]. In December 2009 when Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi visited India to cement the military ties between the two nations. He promised that Israel will provide every help to India in fight against terrorism, which including intelligence sharing as well. In January 2010, Indian National Security Advisor M. K. Narayan held a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Uzi Arad, focus of this meeting was counterterrorism cooperation. In February 2014, India and Israel signed an agreement on Cooperation in Public and Homeland Security which also include intelligence sharing for Security of civilians.

The story moved further with the Israeli President Shimon Peres’ visit to New Delhi last week, here he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefly discussed about the various ways for co-operation to counter-terrorism, and other issues like infrastructure, water, agriculture, health, science, and technology. While talking about Counter-Terrorism, Mr. Peres said that “Terror is a common challenge to both Israel and India. We must fight those extremists who target innocent civilians in the name of religion”[7]. In October when National Security Advisor of Israel visited India, he also transmitted to his Indian colleagues about the Israel’s willingness to expand co-operation in all fields and without any limits. The growing ties between India-Israel will be a positive move for India to utilize Israeli know- how in the field of military technology. There is a lot to earn and more to learn for India from a very small country, who has managed to survive in the highly hostile atmosphere. Co-operation in the field of security no doubt will help to India in combating terrorism and saving the life of the civilians.