Why do indians love israel

Overview

The relationship between India and Israel has evolved from initial diplomatic distance to a robust strategic partnership over three decades. Following India's independence in 1947, the country maintained a pro-Palestinian stance in line with its Non-Aligned Movement principles, voting against Israel's UN admission in 1949 and only establishing consular relations in 1953. The turning point came with India's economic liberalization in 1991 and the Madrid Peace Conference, leading to full diplomatic relations on January 29, 1992. Since then, the relationship has grown exponentially across multiple sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic 2017 visit to Israel marked the first by an Indian prime minister, followed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reciprocal visit in 2018. The relationship has survived political changes in both countries, with cooperation expanding beyond defense to include agriculture, water management, cybersecurity, and space technology.

How It Works

The India-Israel partnership operates through multiple institutional mechanisms and practical collaborations. Defense cooperation forms the cornerstone, with India becoming Israel's largest arms buyer through government-to-government deals and private contracts. The relationship functions through joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and co-development of defense systems like the Barak-8 missile. Agricultural collaboration operates through the Indo-Israel Agricultural Project (IIAP) established in 2006, which has created 29 Centers of Excellence across India that demonstrate Israeli technologies in horticulture, dairy, and water management. These centers have trained over 200,000 Indian farmers. Water management partnerships focus on drip irrigation, desalination, and wastewater treatment technologies that address India's water scarcity challenges. People-to-people connections have grown through tourism, with direct flights connecting major cities, and educational exchanges between institutions like IITs and Israeli universities.

Why It Matters

The India-Israel relationship matters significantly for regional stability, technological advancement, and economic growth. Strategically, it provides India with a reliable defense partner and access to advanced military technology while offering Israel a major market and diplomatic support from the world's largest democracy. The partnership has real-world impact in Indian agriculture, where Israeli drip irrigation has increased crop yields by 30-50% while reducing water usage by 40-60% in states like Punjab and Haryana. In defense, Israeli systems have enhanced India's capabilities against terrorism and regional threats. The relationship also serves as a counterbalance to China's influence in the region and creates economic opportunities through joint ventures in technology startups and innovation ecosystems. For Israel, the partnership with India provides access to a market of 1.4 billion people and strengthens its international standing beyond traditional Western allies.