Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-day visit to Israel starting today (July 4). In the process, he has become the first Indian prime minister in about 70 years of its independence to visit Israel. The timing of PM Modi's high-profile tour to Israel is perhaps the most significant aspect of his visit. It comes in the fourth year of his tenure. However, it could even have been planned in the very first year of his tenure. But the visit to Israel in the latter half of Narendra Modi's tenure has obviously been planned quite strategically. India would have been a loser had PM Modi embarked on a visit in the first or even the second and third year of his tenure. These are the reasons why PM Modi's visit to Israel at this juncture holds significance: 1. ANTI-MUSLIM IMAGE Due to historical reasons associated with Palestine, Israel is considered a pariah by the Muslims. Israel's second-longest serving Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is a right-wing hardliner. He is accused of taking control of the Jewish country's politics by vilifying the Palestinians and demonising the Arabs and the Muslims. In post-2002 Gujarat riots India, Narendra Modi is considered a polarising figure. BJP and its ideological parent RSS are regarded by the Muslims and the Left liberals as pandering to the interests of the majority community and being inimical to the Muslims. Modi rode to power in 2014 with a handsome majority. Had Israel figured in Modi's itinerary of the first few countries he visited soon after becoming the prime minister, it would have conveyed a negative message to the minority communities, especially the Muslims. His move would have put a stamp over his anti-Muslim tag. 2. OIL PRODUCING WEST ASIAN COUNTRIES About 70 per cent of India's oil requirements are met by imports. By 2025-30, this is estimated to rise to about 80-85 per cent. Saudi Arabia, which is the world's largest oil producer, is India's largest supplier. Saudi Arabia has remained New Delhi's rescuer in times of need. It increased its oil imports to India, reduced purchase from Iran following international sanctions between 2008 and 2015. As far as trade is concerned, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains India's third largest partner after China and the United States. The UAE is India's second largest exports destination. Modi has already visited the two Islamic countries besides others in West Asia. Had he visited Israel before these countries, India's oil imports would have been jeopardised. Hence, PM Modi visited the West Asian countries first and strengthened New Delhi's relations with them before embarking on his trip to Israel today. 3. INDIAN DIASPORA Around seven million Indian expatriate workers live in the Gulf countries. Indians constitute the largest emigrants in West Asia with Saudi Arabia and the UAE hosting most of them. Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman remain some of the other countries in West Asia to host Indian workers. These workers send back about 50 per cent of India's foreign remittances. It has helped buoy India's economy. Strained relations between India and the Gulf countries because of Israel would have put the interests of the expatriates and the country itself under jeopardy. 4. TERRORISM In the changed geo-political scenario, India is dependent also on the West Asian countries to keep the threat of terrorism at bay. One element in it was the Indian terrorists making these countries their haven. However, after India exerted pressure, these countries started deporting terror suspects. Saudi Arabia deported Fasih Mohamood - an alleged Indian Mujahideen allegedly involved in the 2010 Bangalore blast - and other terror suspects in 2012. The UAE too extradited several alleged terrorists. Cordial relations with the Middle East would help India fight terror. 5. ISOLATING PAKISTAN India's friendly relations with the West Asian countries also helped in isolating Pakistan. For instance, extradition of the alleged terrorists was a message itself to Pakistan of the changed dynamics between India and the Gulf countries. These extraditions convey the message that the West Asian countries would not allow their soil to be used for terrorist activities against India

• published: 04 Jul 2017
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