Unholy Indian Army Chief Visit to Israel - Disappointments but a test for Indo Israeli Relations
By Afshain Afzal
High level delegation led by Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane's November 2021-visit to Israel proved to be a bad show but with many hopes, although tied with ifs and buts. The Indian military leadership was really disappointed and had to return with a fatigue and disappointed face to report at New Delhi. Indian Army Chief visit to Israel also saw many surprises. Despite a number of military agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) as well as joint stance of counterterrorism, New Delhi is being asked very difficult questions that New Delhi may be hesitant to act upon. India basic purpose of visit to Tel Aviv was defence acquisition, support in surgical attacks on Pakistan through Israeli drones, recognition of Jammu and Kashmir as part pf India, help India in acquiring belt in Gilgit Baltistan to get connected with Afghanistan, funding and supplies against anti-Taliban groups in Afghanistan and Hindu Temple "Mandir" in Haifa, Israel.
As a follow up of November 2021, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar visit to Israel, Indian Army Chief visit held immense importance as this time secret agreement were ready to be signed and schedule to be chalked out to move farwad. If we recall, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel in July 2017 that mad the decades old secret relations between Israel and India public. Earlier India bluffed and projected herself as champion of Palestinian cause and leadership at New Delhi is even today anti-Israel being pagans. Earlier in August 2021, Indian Indian Air Force Chief R K S Bhadauria visited Tel Aviv while Indian Navy chief Sunil Lanba to visit Israel in February 2021.
There were apprehensions that some thing serious was cooking regarding the militarization of Indian Ocean but Indian for the first time realized that it is a trap around India's own neck. What Israel has asked New Delhi included:-
a. Recognition of State of Israel with capital at Jerusalem.
b. Freedom of transit and settlement from and to India and Israel for thousands of Indian nationals settled in Israel since long. Arrangement of more Indian "lost Jew tribes" to be immigrated.
c. Parting relationship with Iranian religious regime and help Israel to aid revolt in Tehran.
d. Seize Iranian settlement and movements in the Ladakh, especially Kargil.
e. Action against the military fundamentalist in India including Indian Muhjahideen (IM) and Lashkar-e-Tayyiaba.
f. Mend fences with Pakistan as start peace talks.
g. Allow Israel to station its personnel at ports at Gujarat and Goa as well as establish listening posts in selected area.
h. Continue media campaign against Saudi Royal familiy and leadership in Saudi Arabia to bring democratic rev0lution there.

The Indian delegation visited that Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Headquarters and met IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi and Major General Tamir Yadai, Israeli Army’s Chief of the Ground Forces and exchanged views on various defense-related issues. The Indian side also visited Special Operations Unit of the IDF where briefing was given on various aspects of counter-terrorism operations. The Israeli senior military and civilian leadership as well as Intelligence personnel at Tel Aviv discussed joint strategy. India-Israel joint working group on defence cooperation also decided to set up a task force.
It was shocking for General Naravane when Tel Aviv agreed in principle to sell India additional Heron drones but set condition that these would only be deployed at Line of Actual Control (LAC) bordering China and not other Indian borders. Another shock was experienced when General Naravane visited the Indian cemetery at Hafia to paid tribute to the Indian army personnel who lost lives during World War l. It was revealed that when Hindu India was voicing against Israel and Western allies Muslims including those living in present day Pakistan sacrificed their lives for the defence and their graves stand as witness even today. It was a surprise for Israel when Indian Army Chief claimed that Hamas is assisting Taliban of Afghanistan in taking over the control of Afghanistan.
India offered its services to Israel and discussed “Hamas-led Change and Reform” after the general elections for Palestinian Legislative Council in Palestinian-controlled territories amid the fears that across the West Bank and Gaza today, Hamas would again garner the most votes. India is planning to bring a political gains in favour of Hamas as otherwise they are likely to win. It has been decided to offer Hamas to renounce violence and recognize Israel to win its support. However, same could not be confirmed from headquarters of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC) in Ramallah. The issue of Pakistani Assistant Zulfi Bukhari visit to Tel Aviv in November 2020 to pass on messages from Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistani Army Chief to Mossad head Yossi Cohen was also discussed in detail.
Not all is open about visit but whatever has come to light is dangerous. No doubt, Israel is India’s largest arms supplier, accounting for more than 42% of the total amount expanded on defence procurement and present agreement and MoUs is worth more than a billion dollar. One wonders why New Delhi fails to comprehend that the far-flung military alliances is against the sovereignty and national integrity. It is equally strange that India is playing bluff game with many nations. The game it is playing with Iran and at the same time is realizing the US and Israel as their most trusted ally. It is high time that India must give up dangerous plans to weaponize Indian Ocean and struggle for peace in the whole region. No doubt, peace and development can bring peace and prosperity in the region.