The Israeli side is believed to have been upset with this sudden announcement and it took some explaining on part of the MEA to be able to soothe ruffled feathers

by Maha Siddiqui

New Delhi: The chemistry was on full display. Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to his Israeli counterpart as 'my friend Bibi', and Benjamin Netanyahu went a step ahead, saying he will always be available if Modi ever wanted to do yoga with him. 

The bonhomie was an extension of what was seen in Israel six months ago. As Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Israel in July last year, he was accorded a welcome reserved for a privileged few. Netanyahu accompanied him to almost all his engagements in the 3-day visit. 

Personal chemistry aside, the two nations also got down to business and signed nine agreements, including ones on cyber-security, solar thermal energy, oil and gas sector and space. But surprisingly, there was almost no big announcement in the defence sector.

The joint statement, though, did say that there was discussion on “developing more business models and partnerships for the joint ventures and joint manufacturing, including transfer of technology as well as joint research and development in defence and security fields.”

Israel is India's second largest arms supplier. The two share robust defence ties but many believe that the vendor-driven relationship should change. The thrust should be on technology transfer through ‘Make in India’ route. 

A couple of weeks ahead of Netanyahu's visit India had scrapped a $500 million deal with Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited for 8000 Spike anti-tank guided missile. 

News 18 has learnt from sources that the timing of the move had put the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a spot. The scrapping of the deal was announced towards the end of November last year, barely a month-and-half before Netanyahu’s visit to India. 

This was to be the first visit by an Israeli PM in 15 years after Ariel Sharon’s visit in 2003 and was being meticulously planned. In External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s own words, this visit was “keenly awaited.” 

The Israeli side is believed to have been upset with this sudden announcement and it took some explaining on part of the MEA to be able to soothe ruffled feathers. 

News 18 has also learnt that it was conveyed to the Ministry of Defence that its decision to announce the scrapping of the deal was badly timed. According to one source, although it did not jeopardise the visit, it certainly created discomfort just ahead of what the Prime Minister Modi termed an “extraordinary” visit that was considered a “fitting climax to the commemoration of 25 years of diplomatic relations between India and Israel.”