Why Netanyahu's Russia visit shouldn't worry India

Netanyahu meeting Putin was to garner support of Russian-speaking Israeli citizens

Likud-party-netanyahu-putin-trump

After ten and half years of being at the helm of power in Israel, Netanyahu went into elections on Tuesday. This election is a test of survival of sorts for the Israeli PM, who is known for his right-wing politics. Benjamin Netanyahu in the meantime cancelled two planned visits to India recently. He instead went to meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

When Netanyahu's team rescheduled the India visit, reasons cited were the unprecedented repeat polls in Israel. The previous cancellation took place in April, right before elections too. Netanyahu's planned visit was widely seen in Israel as an effort by him to project his acceptance worldwide and prop up his campaign. Netanyahu's Likud won 36 out of 120 seats, just one more than Benny Gantz's Kahol Lavan or Blue and White in the April elections, but, could not form a coalition government and this led to the re-election.

However, this was not the first time the Israeli PM is using affiliation with another leader for political benefits. While campaigning for the polls in April, he put up posters and hoardings of images featuring him with US President Donald Trump, Indian PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The campaign focused on bringing out his close chemistry with the world leaders and trying to project him as a leader of an unmatched stature in Israeli politics.

Besides beefing up his public image right before elections, the visit to Russia could also be for the support over security threat from Iran.

Netanyahu's visit to Putin came after Russian Foreign Ministry condemned Netanyahu’s vow to annex parts of the West Bank after elections in September. Netanyahu said that "Our tightening relations [with Russia] are the result of our mutual policy as well as the personal bond we share. This bond has prevented unnecessary and dangerous friction between our armies." Putin too, seemed keen to maintain good relations with Israel, saying that, “We have always treated them [Israelis] as our people.”

According to sources close to Netanyahu's office, the leaders also discussed regional issues including the situation in Syria and about tightening the military coordination mechanisms. Netanyahu also told Putin that Iran was an intolerable threat to Israel and that Israel had seen an increase over the past month in Iranian efforts to attack Israel from Syria.

The visit was also a move for Netanyahu to get the support of the many Russian speaking voters residing in Israel. Close to 1.5 million former Soviet citizens live in Israel. Besides this, talking about security coordination in Syria was important for regional security. The task of ensuring peace in the region would need to be taken further, even if Benny Gantz of Kahol Lavan party wins the polls.

Netanyahu visiting Putin instead of Modi before the elections are not to say that Israel holds its relations with India with less regard. Israeli ties to India remain important as ever. Both countries have been victims of terrorism and both have been keen to resolve it. And while Pakistan might be considering to establish relations with Israel, there is no reason for India to be worried. Israel remains India's largest bomb supplier, the very bombs that were used in an airstrike against Pakistan terrorists.

In the visits by both the leaders to India and Israel over the recent years, both Netanyahu and Indian PM Narendra Modi have displayed a certain bonhomie and referred to the other as 'my friend'. Then there is the cultural connect of Jewish settlements in India and Gujarati businessmen who have settled in Israel. Besides Indians with Jewish heritage having moved to Israel, several people of Indian origin have made the country their home. Israel has also become a hotspot of sorts for Indian tourists with approximately 40,000 Indians visiting the country within the first six months of 2018. A certain display of camaraderie with India ups Israel's status in eyes of the UN as well. So, it is a win-win situation overall.

Whether or not, Netanyahu wins the elections, India-Israel will remain bhai-bhai.