Blog Details

Introduction:

India-Israel relations have developed significantly over the past few decades through strategic cooperation, economic ties, and cultural exchanges. India maintained neutral relations with Israel and its neighbors before 1992, but since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1992, defense, agricultural, and technological cooperation between the two countries has expanded. But the Iran-Israel conflict has complicated the relationship between the two. India often sides with Israel when Iran seeks to extend its influence on Israeli territory. India's economic, especially energy-related, ties to Iran have called for a careful diplomatic balance. As tensions rise between Iran and Israel, India faces a delicate balancing act for maintaining its vital power relations with Iran while cooperating with Israel in the shadow war. Its main objective is to establish partnerships in a complex regional landscape while maintaining stability and balancing the interests of opposing allies.

Table of contents:

• India Israel relationship
• India-Iran relation
• Effect of Israel and Iran war on India

 

• Indian Israel relationship:

India and Israel have a strong and multifaceted relationship through strategic, technological, economic, and cultural exchanges. India-Israel relations, formally established in 1992, have deepened in recent years. Key aspects of India-Israel relations are:

• Defense and Security: Israel is India's largest defense supplier through advanced technology and arms supply cooperation, including missile development, cyber security, intelligence sharing, and joint training exercises, with the main objective of partnering in counter-terrorism security and defense.
• Agriculture: Another important pillar of India-Israel relations is agriculture, which includes the development of India's agricultural systems with the help of drip irrigation, water conservation, and strategic cultivation skills. 
• Innovation and Technology: Indo-Israel friendly relations have boosted India's artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy, and cyber security. The combination of Israel's rich startup ecosystem and India's IT and software industry technology has created numerous opportunities in innovation and research.
• Investment and Trade: Bilateral trade relations between India and Israel include the exchange of materials such as precious stones, chemicals, electronics, IT, renewable energy, medicine, and water management. A free trade agreement is also being negotiated to expand the economic ties between the two countries.
• Water Management: Israel's advanced water management technology plays a significant role in desalination, wastewater treatment, and water conservation, as well as helping Indian states solves India's water resource problems.
• Tourism: Many Indian tourists go on religious pilgrimage to Israel. Also, the presence of a large Indian Jewish community in Israel contributes significantly to the cultural ties between the two countries.
• Diplomatic Relations: In recent times, frequent meetings between leaders of India and Israel, mutual respect, and commitment to expand cooperation have strengthened diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both countries share a common vision of regional stability, counterterrorism, and sustainable development. 

 

• India-Iran relation:

India-Iran relations, founded on historical and cultural foundations, have grown over time through economic, strategic, and security partnerships. Through energy, trade, and projects such as the Chabahar port, both countries have strengthened ties by leveraging their geographic and economic assets to support regional stability. Key aspects of India-Iran relations are:

Energy Partnership: Iran has long been an important oil supplier to India, although sanctions have sometimes affected imports. Both countries are pursuing a sustainable energy partnership, with India showing interest in developing Iran's Farzad-B gas field. There are also opportunities for renewable energy cooperation.

Strategic connectivity-Chabahar Port: India's investment in Chabahar port bypasses Pakistan and increases connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia. This infrastructure initiative aligns with India's goals for increased regional trade and provides Iran with an important outlet beyond the Persian Gulf.

Economic and trade relations: India and Iran have worked to increase bilateral trade in petrochemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals and food products. Sanctions have led to creative payment systems such as using the Indian rupee for transactions to sustain economic exchanges.

Cultural and Historical Connections: Centuries of shared cultural heritage have shaped mutual understanding between language, art and religion. This common cultural base encourages people-to-people connections supported by both governments through cultural exchange programs.

Geopolitical and Strategic Interests: Both countries have a stake in the stability of Afghanistan. Iran's geographic location gives India strategic access and influence in the region, making it a key partner for India's broader regional security goals. India's vision is to balance its relations with Iran while maintaining partnerships with the US and Gulf countries.

Defense and Security Cooperation: India and Iran engage in limited defense cooperation that focuses on intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism, although these efforts are largely informal due to regional sensitivities.

• Effect of Israel and Iran war on India:
• Energy Partnership: Iran has long been a vital oil supplier for India, though sanctions have sometimes affected imports. Both countries continue to pursue sustainable energy partnerships, with India showing interest in developing Iran’s Farzad-B gas field. There's also scope for renewable energy collaboration.
• Strategic Connectivity—Chabahar Port: India's investment in Chabahar Port enhances connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. This infrastructure initiative aligns with India’s goals for improved regional trade while also providing Iran with an important outlet beyond the Persian Gulf.
• Economic and Trade Relations: India and Iran have worked to increase bilateral trade in petrochemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food products. Sanctions have led to creative payment arrangements, such as using the Indian rupee for transactions, to sustain economic exchanges.
• Cultural and Historical Connections: Centuries of shared cultural heritage have shaped mutual understanding in language, art, and religion. This common cultural base encourages people-to-people connections, supported by both governments through cultural exchange programs.
• Geopolitical and Strategic Interests: Both countries have a stake in the stability of Afghanistan. Iran’s geographical location offers India strategic access and influence in the region, making it a key partner for India’s broader regional security objectives. India’s approach has been to balance its relationship with Iran while also maintaining partnerships with the U.S. and Gulf nations.
• Defense and Security Collaboration: India and Iran have engaged in limited defense cooperation focused on intelligence sharing and counterterrorism, though these efforts are largely informal due to regional sensitivities.

 

Conclusion:

India's relations between both Iran and Israel highlight its unique balancing act in foreign policy, aimed at advancing its strategic and economic interests in the Middle East. With Iran, India maintains partnerships in energy and regional connectivity, particularly through projects like the Chabahar Port, which provides access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Simultaneously, India shares strong defense, trade, and technology ties with Israel, benefiting from security and innovation collaboration. By managing its relations with these regional rivals, India underscores its non-aligned and pragmatic approach, focusing on stability and mutual benefits without directly entangling in regional conflicts.