“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (UPSC 2018)

India’s ties with Israel have moved far beyond a narrow security link to a wide strategic partnership. They now cover defence, trade, technology, agriculture and regional connectivity, making the relationship deeper, more institutionalised and harder to reverse.

• Strategic depth: The relationship has been elevated to a Special Strategic Partnership, while India continues de-hyphenated engagement with Israel and Palestine.
• Defence and security: Cooperation now includes joint R&D, co-production, cyber security and intelligence sharing, with platforms such as Barak-8, Heron drones and Phalcon.
• Economic stakes: A Bilateral Investment Agreement and FTA talks show long-term intent; trade, ports and investment create strong material interests.
• Developmental linkages: Centres of Excellence, “Villages of Excellence”, irrigation, fisheries and precision farming spread benefits to the grassroots.
• New-age cooperation: Digital payments, AI, quantum, semiconductors and IMEC/I2U2 widen the agenda.

India’s independent West Asia policy, rising mutual dependence and diversified cooperation ensure that this partnership is durable, pragmatic and largely irreversible, even amid regional tensions.