India's Counterterrorism Cooperation with Israel

This Research Note focuses on the cooperation between India and Israel in the field of counterterrorism since the establishment of the full diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992. Fresh out of the trauma of Partition, India decided to recognize the State of Israel, but only allowed consular relations on a nonreciprocal basis. India opened full diplomatic relations with Israel in May 1992 following the start of the Madrid Peace Process. It analyzes the international context and the internal political constraints for the implementation of the cooperation process and refers also to the intricate challenges faced by India in dealing with Iranian terrorism on its soil.

India's Counterterrorism Cooperation with Israel
Via Deccan Herald

Brief

By Dr Ely Karmon

Abstract

This Research Note focuses on the cooperation between India and Israel in the field of counterterrorism since the establishment of the full diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992. Fresh out of the trauma of Partition, India decided to recognize the State of Israel, but only allowed consular relations on a nonreciprocal basis. India opened full diplomatic relations with Israel in May 1992 following the start of the Madrid Peace Process.[1] It analyzes the international context and the internal political constraints for the implementation of the cooperation process and refers also to the intricate challenges faced by India in dealing with Iranian terrorism on its soil.

Secret Cooperation

It should be noticed that since its early days, India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), had a secret liaison relationship with the Mossad, Israel’s external intelligence agency. “The main purpose was to benefit from Israel’s knowledge of West Asia and North Africa, and to learn from its counterterrorism techniques.”[2] Initial contacts were established through the Israeli consulate in Mumbai. Over the years, the bonds between the two agencies have strengthened with a common threat of Islamist terrorism and fundamentalism.[3]

After the assassination of Indira Gandhi on 31 October 1984 and the formation of the Indian National Security Guard, there were reports that Israeli training was availed of.[4] During the early 1980s, some Indian military officers indeed underwent counterterrorism training in Israel.[5]

Since the 1980s India was a popular tourist destination for Israelis. In June 1991, young Israeli tourists visiting the scenic Kashmir Valley were attacked by a dozen armed Kashmiri Muslim terrorists in Srinagar. Fearing that the men were about to be executed, one of the Israelis untied his hands, attacked one of the gunmen, grabbed his assault rifle, and opened fire. In the ensuing gun battle, one Israeli was killed, three others were wounded, and one kidnapped. A Kashmiri organization calling itself Defenders of the Islamic Revolution claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.[6]

Pakistan suspected the Israelis were Israeli Army officers masquerading as tourists to train Indian security forces in counterterrorism operations. The Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) propaganda inspired the terrorist attacks on the Israelis. Soon afterward, under pressure, the terrorists released the kidnapped Israeli tourist. During the negotiations for his release, Israeli government officials, including senior intelligence operatives, arrived in New Delhi. Their interaction with Indian officials gave a boost to the larger considerations behind the formalization of diplomatic relations between the two states.[7]

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Disclaimer: This paper is author’s individual scholastic contribution and does not necessarily reflect the organization’s viewpoint.

This paper is based on the virtual presentation given by Dr Ely Karmon at the Maharana Pratap Annual Security Dialogue, 12 January 2022. It was orginally published in Perpespective on Terrorism Journal. 

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