More than a millennium year ago, Indian kings had sheltered the Jews when all other nations had shut its doors to this minority religion. Centuries have passed but Israel has not forgotten the help done by the Indians. That’s why it has kept on supporting India since Nehru’s time even though the Congress party never appreciated this tiny but powerful nation’s support to India.
Why I’m saying you this is because soon after the death of India’s tallest leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji, the country “Israel” has once again become relevant in India. This is because the bonding Atal ji had developed with Israel when he was the Prime Minister of India.
Remembering Atal ji, the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu said,
- I send my condolences to the Indian families who have lost their loved ones in the recent floods. I also send my condolences to the family of former Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee. He was a true friend of Israel. Israel stands with India during this time of hardship.
Not just the Prime Minister of Israel had sent out his messages but even Israel’s former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said “I offer my heartfelt condolences to the people of India at their loss”. Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director General Yuval Rotem said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the death of a giant – India’s former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee”.
Embassy of Israel in India also extended its “deepest condolences” to Indians and decided to fly their flag half mast. After all why Israel has a sense of deep respect to late Atal Bihari Vajpayee? To know this we need to go back 2 decades back.
It was the time of Kargil war in 1999 and the defense experts had predicted that India is going to taste defeat at the hands of the Pakistanis, for the first time. Indian Army’s ammunition was depleting and to add to the woe, Pakistan had an upper hand as it was positioned in the hilly areas.
And at other end, there was constant pressure on India by other powerful nations including United States of America. So at this crucial juncture, only solution to overcome this was by possessing high-end weapons. This is where Israel came to help.
At this time, India urged Israel to send much needed warfare equipment. But the United States had ordered to delay the supply of weapons to India but Israel ignored the pressure tactics of United States of America and supplied all the required ammunition on time to India.
Indian forces were on a back foot as there was no Laser Guided Missiles, but after Israel’s help, the entire picture changed. The surveillance materials of Israel were extensively used and this helped Indian Army to restrict the Pakistani force and push them back behind the border.
Using those laser guided missiles, the Indian fighter jets destroyed several Pakistani bunkers and gave them severe causalities. Mirage 2000H fighter planes completely put Pakistan on the back foot as the Mirage started its attack from June 1999. The accurate strikes of Mirage which embedded laser guided bombs were the contribution of Israel. Along with this, the automated Aerial Vehicles of Israel helped India to locate the enemy hideouts.
Fearing a dent in vote bank politics, none had dared to embrace Israel since Independence. But Atal Bihari Vajpayee didn’t hesitate to recognize its all weather friend, Israel. So it won’t be an exaggeration to say that Atal ji will be missed by Israel, India’s true friend.
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