Indian Prime Minister's visit to Israel: A 'historic' trip?

(Baonghean) - Narendra Modi has become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel after arriving in Tel Aviv on July 4th for a three-day trip.

The trip, described as "historic" by the host country's Prime Minister, does not seem to have helped to ease long-standing tensions in the region.

The photo, accompanied by a dedication from the Israeli Prime Minister to the Indian Prime Minister, is pictured here. Photo: Twitter.

Friendship blossomed.

During his brief three-day stay in Israel, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Twitter 50 times, expressing the joy he and his "good friend Netanyahu" shared. Many believe that, compared to their initial relationship, the bond between Prime Minister Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blossomed into a close and enduring friendship, further strengthened by seaside strolls and handwritten messages.

Not only did people witness the two leaders laughing and joking together, exchanging warm hugs, touring Israel by helicopter, enjoying art and learning about history, but they were also surprised by the "romance" of the two leaders as they strolled along the Dor Sea coast in Haifa on July 6th. They were there to discuss desalination (the process of turning seawater into potable water), but beyond that topic, who knows, these two close friends might have discussed other things as they rolled up their trousers, waved, and smiled amidst the Mediterranean waves. "Nothing compares to going to the beach with friends!" That's what the Israeli Prime Minister later posted on social media, warming the hearts of lonely world leaders out there.

Observers even compared the Indian Prime Minister's state visit to the romantic novels of Nicholas Sparks, especially when Netanyahu presented Modi with a photo of them together on the beach, accompanied by a handwritten note: "To Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the deepest friendship during your historic visit to Israel." The farewell between the two leaders at the end of the Indian Prime Minister's three-day visit to Israel was also emotional, as they waved goodbye with heartfelt affection. Host Netanyahu posted a farewell message in Hindi on his personal page: "Thank you for visiting Israel, Prime Minister Modi. We will meet again soon."

Indian and Israeli leaders exchanged warm embraces during their recent visit. Photo: Getty

A complicated past

What everyone noticed was that the two leaders shared a very pleasant time together, but at the same time, they worked hard to finalize several agreements. They signed seven important agreements on water, agriculture, and space technology, and established a joint research and development fund worth $40 million. They also spent time reviewing shared security interests. In April, the state-owned Israeli space industry signed a nearly $2 billion agreement to supply the Indian army and navy with missile defense systems, making it the most lucrative defense contract in Israeli history.

If one only looks at the warm relationship between the two leaders and their steady progress in strengthening the alliance between the two countries, many would likely forget that before Modi took office in 2014, India's relationship with Israel was extremely lukewarm and distant. This is partly explained by India's history of supporting the Palestinians.

This was the first country outside the Arab world to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in 1974, and later became one of the first to recognize the State of Palestine in 1988. This long-standing relationship has become more complicated under Modi and his BJP party, as Modi has become more open about closer ties with Israel. Speaking on this issue, PR Kumaraswamy, a professor of Middle Eastern studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, said: “Previously, people didn’t openly acknowledge this relationship. It’s like you have a girlfriend, but you’re not ready to introduce her to your family yet.”

Therefore, it is quite different when the BJP repeatedly affirms its belief that it can build independent relationships with both Israel and Palestine. And the most recent state visit is a clear illustration of that policy. Vijay Chauthaiwale, head of the BJP's foreign policy department, stated: “We want to build a strong relationship with Israel while simultaneously supporting the ideals of the Palestinians. And we have no fear of doing so.”

Looking back at history, in 2015, after India abstained from voting in the UN Human Rights Council's impeachment vote against Israel, the Palestinian ambassador to India demanded a clear explanation. Now, reacting to Modi's visit, Palestinian Authority Deputy Foreign Minister Tayseer Jaradat expressed his displeasure in an interview with CNN: "We want the Prime Minister of an important country, like India for example, who is currently visiting the region, to also visit Palestine when he visits Israel."

In short, the photos of Modi and Netanyahu in recent days may paint a warm picture of relations between the two countries, but that is still not enough to dispel long-standing regional tensions. Palestine's reaction to the trip also partly shows that India's plan for independent relations with each country is not as easy as Modi thought.

Phu Binh(According to VOX)