Indo-Pacific as a single strategic construct has emerged into prominence and gaining momentum with its growing geo-economic and geopolitical significance. It’s home to major rising economies like China, Japan, India, Australia and 60% of maritime trade passes through the region. Therefore, the region has been turning into the geo-economic and geopolitical centre of gravity of the world.
The origin of the process can be traced in the coordinated Tsunami Response of 2004 by Australia, India, Japan and the US. The idea assumed political dimension with Shinzo Abe's Address of “Confluence of the Two Seas” [1] to the Indian Parliament in 2007. His 2012 article “Asia's Democratic Security Diamond” further echoed the inter-connectedness of the two seas as single maritime domain. He wrote that “peace, stability and freedom of navigation in the Pacific Ocean is inseparable from peace, stability and freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean”.[2] The region is the crucial route for supply chain, transportation of energy, trade and market and thus it has assumed profound salience in the strategic thinking of the regional and global powers for the maritime connectivity and security and strategic cooperation for seamless and unhindered movement of trade.
The rise of China and its territorial claims with increasing and aggressive assertiveness with it’s so-called ambitious maritime silk route is a strategic challenge to the established maritime rules and practices has attracted strategic attention of all. China has been refusing to accept rights and claims of other littoral countries even after the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague of July 2016 in favour of Philippines under United Nations Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), of which China is one of the signatories.[3]
India’s Indo-Pacific Vision and Strategy
In this background, India's Indo-Pacific Vision has taken shape with PM Modi's Keynote Address at Shangrila Dialogue, 2018. For India, Indo-pacific is mainly a maritime construct stretching from Africa to Ameriacas connecting both the Indian and the Pacific ocean.[4] At the head of Indian Ocean, India is in pursuit as a pivotal maritime power in the region and grow as a hub of 'BLUE ECONOMY'. Prime Minister Modi in his address to “India Maritime Summit” March 2021 released the ‘E-book of Maritime India Vision 2030' emphasising investment and development of the maritime sector as part of AtmNirbhar Bharat. The vision emphasises commitment for an inclusive construct of Indo-pacific ensuring free, open and rule-based order in the region with the ASEAN centrality[5] as a core perspective. Therefore, the focus is on maritime connectivity and security, freedom of navigation, maritime domain awareness, disaster resilience infrastructure and sustainable development for shared prosperity of all in the region
With this focus India has created several inclusive forums and structure and participated in all such endeavours in the region. The important among these are Indian Ocean Rim Association for Cooperation (1997-19 countries), Project Mausam (2014) a geo-cultural project to resuscitate the cultural thread in the region, Concept of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and SAGARMALA concept (2015) for Blue Economy [6] and Maritime India Summit (2016). Besides, the Indian Ocean Conference (2016) is jointly conducted by India Foundation, New Delhi; S Rajaratnam Institute of International Studies, Singapore; Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, Dhaka and Institute of Policy Studies, Colombo for discussing region-wise national security through Geo-strategic, Geo-economic and Geo-cultural perspectives. In, 2018, Indo-pacific Regional Dialogue, an apex global conference on maritime strategy, important forum for India's foreign policy formulation in region is organised by the National Maritime Foundation, the chief knowledge partner of the Indian Navy.[7] In 2019 ‘Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative’ (during 14th East Asian Summit) to expand and facilitate regional cooperation in the region.
Israel’s Growing Interests and Vision in the Indo-Pacific region
Israel has around 8 km coastline in the Gulf of Aqaba which is part of the Red Sea arm of the Indian Ocean. But notably two most critical adversaries of Israel- Iran and Pakistan are located in the India ocean. In recent years, owing Iran's nuclear programme, ant-Israel proxies across the region increasing shadowy attacks and counters at the sea Israel has developed a natural strategic interest in the Indian Ocean.
Israel has been emphasizing on developing requisite strategic reach in the Indian ocean as gravity of world trade and economy shifting to the region in the wake of Europe in decline and growing US domestic sentiments of America First.[8] The Israeli government and its Ministry of Foreign Affairs in particular is in pursuit of focused politico-diplomatic is expanding their engagements in the region by expanding consular services, establishing embassies and requisite orientations of its mission heads in the region. In last two decades the number of Israeli embassies has doubled in last three decades. It is investing a lot of efforts, diplomatic outreach and political visits at the highest level in its ‘Looking East’ vision.[9] The Israeli government is working systematically through its missions in the region to create incentives for economic engagements with Israel. Since the economic crisis of 2008, the focus of Israel has given priority to the region and this is done at the highest political as well for ensuring it a desired direction.
The growing economic strength and geopolitical influence of the countries of the region has led to increasing intensification of Israel’s engagements in the region.[10] In 2017 at a meeting with the heads of Israeli missions in the Asia-Pacific region, then PM, Benjamin Netanyahu said, “A major portion of the world's population is located in the Asia-Pacific region. This is a rising power.” [11] On 20th August, 2020, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs inaugurated 1st Asia-Pacific Day, hosted the ambassadors from the Indo-Pacific region and signed several agreements promoting cooperation between Israel and the countries of the region. First formal meeting with Foreign Minister, Gabi Ashkenazi.[12] The participant diplomats were appraised with Israel’s economic priorities in the region and how all these relations can be mutually beneficial for the respective countries and overall development of the entire as a global economic hub.
As per Israel Innovation Authority Report the rising economies of the Indo-pacific region offers opportunities of R&D, Pilot Cooperation and market for the Israeli companies.[13] The collaborations will provide a huge market to the Israeli start-ups. The Indo-pacific powers can help Israel in Deep water drilling of Gas and also a prospective market as major energy importers countries are in here in this region. Besides, with rising anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the West, the Asia-Pacific region is growing in political importance for Israel as well. Asian countries, in contrast don’t have any such historic and religious baggage.[14]
India-Israel Strategic Convergence in Indo-Pacific
At the moment, India and Israel relations epitomises an unreserved friendship with the increasing multiple multi-sectoral cooperation of strategic importance cemented by frequent highest level political visit. There is a perceptible convergence of their interests in the strategically crucial Indo-pacific region. Both have shared imperatives of strategic engagements for their national security and economic interests in the region of Indo-pacific.[15] Maritime security and ensuring freedom of navigation in the crucial Indo-pacific needs unreserved intelligence sharing, logistical collaboration and deep sense of commitment which the two countries share and have demonstrated in the recent years.
Celebration of Thirty years relations with a shared logo is clear manifestation of shared vision of their regional and global security and shared imperative of prosperity. It is crucial for both countries to develop maritime logistics and infrastructure, maritime domain awareness in this strategic region in consonance with their national interests and geo-economic and geo-strategic perspectives.[16] India-Israel Space collaborations are complementary information gathering mechanism for monitoring of movements and security in the region.
Pakistan with its nuclear capabilities and strategic bellicosity against India and Israel is the shared security concern. A nuclear Iran is the sure security threat to Israel and India is also opposed nuclear Iran. Thus, both India and Israel share strategic interests in the case of Iran as well as Iranian nuclear pursuits.[17] Israel is not a nuclear power officially but it has projected its nuclear posturing time and again to deter and pre-empt possible temptation to attack the country by its hostile neighbours. As most nuclear powers operate nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine for reasons of safety, secrecy and appropriate response and retaliation capabilities. In the nuclear threat and attack scenario both India and Israel has shared interests and incentive to cooperate to build ‘Second strike sea-based capability’ in the Indian Ocean. Given threat of Strategic nuclear weapons by Pakistan, it’s also a strategic imperative for India with its ‘No First Use’ policy to have a credible ‘Second Strike Sea Based Capability’ which can retaliate sufficiently mortal disabling of aggressor. As per reports, Israeli cabinet has approved procurement of three advanced Dakar-class diesel-electric submarines from the German firm, ThyssenKrupp Missile System with Vertical launch System (VLS) and Swimmer-Delivery System. These submarines is said to have provided Israel with Second-Strike Capabilities, carrying long-range missiles with nuclear warheads.[18]
In 2000, the US Navy detected the launch of Israeli Submarine-launched Cruise Missiles (SLCM) which allegedly can carry 200 kilotons of nuclear warheads.[19] The positioning of these naval assets in the Indian ocean will equip Israel with credible counter-attack capabilities. Thus, there is shared imperative and growing convergence for India and Israel strategic intelligence sharing, nuclear threat assessment, collaboration on nuclear delivery platform to deter and disable the aggressor forever. The increasing agreements with the Gulf countries is a promising bridge to connect Israel with the Indo-Pacific region in a trilateral format of Asia, Gulf and Israel.[20] The United States promotes and endorses this growing collaboration and synergy between its two strategic partners and sees it as potent stabilising force in this strategic and increasingly contested maritime space.[21] Thus security of three maritime choke-points Bab al mandeb, Strait of Hormuz and Malacca Strait , the crucial shared concerns for Israel and India.
Recent Positive Developments and Cooperative Engagements
There numerous developments which are profound significance for facilitating cooperation and coordination between India and Israel along with other common strategic partners in the region. In March 21, 2018, Pentagon agreed to have an India military representative (attaché) in US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), Bahrain which has area of responsibility for Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Arabean Sea. The Attaché will ensure better coordination and logistical support for warship and aircraft carriers.[22] Another complementary declaration by United States that Israel would be moved from the EUCOM (European Command) to the CENTCOM (CENTCOM) with the US Gulf Partners in Jan, 2021 and finally in Sept, Israel has formally been moved to CENTCOM from EUCOM. [23] This is the sign of the changing political environment in the Middle East in the wake of Abraham Accord and normalisation of Israel’s relations with Bahrain and UAE. The developments are of particular importance for India and Israel to cooperate and coordinate without any traditional reservation of India’s Arab Gulf states in the region. Being together with NAVCENT, Bahrain, India and Israel along with US and other Gulf strategic partners can work with ease and requisite cooperation to pursue their mutual goals and objective in the Gulf in particular and the Indo-Pacific region at large.
The work was in progress for some time as in 2019, Israel could participate in the International Conference on Maritime and Aviation Security with the United States and its Gulf partners.[24] The 2020, The Abraham Accord has further facilitated the participation of Israel in the maritime security exercises collaboration. It found the practical manifestation, when in November, 2021, 5 Days naval exercise started and for the first time Israel participated in the Joint Joint naval exercise with the Gulf States (UAE& Bahrain) intended for training for Maritime Collaboration and enhanced collective maritime security with US's regional partners. The US wants its partners in the region to focus more in the Red Sea, Bab al Mandeb and Gulf of Aden to provide security needed for commerce in the region with all possible coordination and technological and intelligence cooperation.[25]
The mutuality of interests and vision of two countries can be gauged from the fact that in March 2021, External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S Jaishankar was invited as a Guest of honour to address the ‘Conference of Israeli heads of Mission in Indo-pacific’. In his keynote address, he spoke about contemporary global situation, India's foreign policy outlook in the Indo-pacific and Iindia-Israel cooperation and asked the attendant Israeli diplomats to further the “the forward and upward trajectory” in bilateral relations[26] is a marked testimony to this growing synergy. The new logo featuring the Star of David and the Ashoka Chakra – symbols that adorn the flags of the two countries – forming the numeral 30 to depict the 30th anniversary of bilateral ties. It is a powerful symbol of the growing convergence of interests and synergy of mutual future endeavours of the two countries, the foremost strategic strength of the two in their future cooperation in reaping the benefits in the Indo-pacific region. Calling of India-Israel relations as “Really Exceptional” by His Excellency Gaor Gilan, Israeli Ambassador to India and Gehri Dosti (Deep friendship) remark by PM Neftali Bennet is clear testimony to the mutual commitment for our shared future endeavour and Stratgeic Indo-pacific region assumes focus its being the engine of global economy.
The Abraham Accord has boosted India-Israel and UAE triangle have boosted the maritime security collaboration process in the volatile water in Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa where UAE created chain of military and logistical infrastructure in strategic islands of Socotra, Perim[27] and bases in Berbera in the autonomous Somaliland[28] and Boosaaso in Puntland, the semi-autonomous region of Somalia as well as Assab port in Eritrea. Besides, as per media reports, Israel also has a base in Dahlak archaepelago and Listening Post at Mt Amba Sawara in Eritrea which are of profound strategic importance.[29] The so-called Quad-plus meetings and the West Asia Quad with US and UAE other than bilaterals are crucial facilitating forums to help coordinate their cooperation in the strategic Indo-pacific region.
Challenges and Future Prospects
There are three broad challenges. First, as Israel is not directly threatened by China, Israel will not like join any maritime arrangement which China opposes. Second, similarly, India has a special interest with Iran which is vital for its Afghan policy (Continental Security) and Central Asian Connectivity vision while the latter is the adversary of Israel. Third, management of US-China contest- economic, technological and security sphere and avoiding of any hot confrontation in the Indo-pacific
Notwithstanding, national interests and geo-economic imperatives of India and Israel, would make them collaborate with each other in the Indo-pacific region to maintain a rule-based order in the region. Participation of Israel in MALABAR Exercise can be the best way to further spur India-Israel cooperation without formal maritime security arrangement. Inclusion and participation of Israel through India’s Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative, Sagarmala and Mausam Projects sharing responsibility for connectivity, disaster management, partnering Maritime Domain Awareness for Building Sustainable Blue Economy are the shared incentives. India-Israel partnership in Maritime Domain Awareness is of particular significance as the vast oceans sphere is the sphere of future economic activity, the Blue Economy. A joint research paper “Enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness in Indo-Pacific and Eastern Mediterranean Region: Indian and Israeli Perspective” by Maritime Policy and Strategy Research Centre, Haifa University, Israel and National Maritime Foundation, done as policy recommendation to their respective governments is positive step forward.[30]
Besides, in Oct, 2021, India-Israel Task Force had meeting to formulate new areas of defense cooperation- discussed bilateral military and technological cooperation to deal with deal with strategic challenges in West Asia and Indo-pacific region.[31] In Nov, 2021, 84 Indian Air Force personnel participated in ‘Blue Flag air drill Exercise’ at Ovda Airbase, conducted for integration of 4th & 5th Generation aircraft in complex operational scenario.[32]
Thus, there is clear confluence of interests and strategic convergence between India and Israel for an inclusive Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region for their national interests, security and prosperity. This strategic region is the future sphere cooperation for both countries taking their strategic partnership ahead in the emerging multipolar world order.
References
[1] Speech by H.M. Mr Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan to the Parliament of the Republic of India, “Confluence of the Two Seas” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 22nd August, 2007 https://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/pmv0708/speech-2.html
[2] Shinzo Abe (2012) ‘Asia’s Democratic Security Diamond’, Project Syndicate, 27th December, 2012 https://www.project-syndicate.org/onpoint/a-strategic-alliance-for-japan-and-india-by-shinzo-abe
[3] Press Release (2016) “The South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of the Philippines Vs The Republic of China)”, Permanent Court of Arbitration,The Hague, 12th July, 2016 https://docs.pca-cpa.org/2016/07/PH-CN-20160712-Press-Release-No-11-English.pdf
[4] Prime Minister’s Address at Shangri La dialogue, Ministry of External Affairs, 1st June, 2018 https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/29943/Prime+Ministers+Keynote+Address+at+Shangri+La+Dialogue+June+01+2018
[5] Huma Siddiqui (2019) ‘India’s Concept of Indo-Pacific is Inclusive and Across Oceans’, MEA, 8th November, 2019 https://mea.gov.in/articles-in-indian-media.htm?dtl/32015/Indias_concept_of_IndoPacific_is_inclusive_and_across_oceans
[6] Cabinet (2015) ‘Sagarmala: Concept and Implementation of Blue Economy’ PIB, 25th March, 2015 https://pib.gov.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?relid=117691
[7] Ministry of Defence (2021) “Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2021”, PIB, 26th October, 2021 https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1766500
[8] Anthony Bergin (2017) “Modi Visits Bibi: Israel Making Waves in Indo-Pacific”, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 8th July, 2017 https://www.aspi.org.au/opinion/modi-visits-bibi-israel-making-waves-indo-pacific
[9] Gilad Cohen (2018) “Israel is Looking East”, Jerusalem Post, 17th December, 2018 https://www.jpost.com/opinion/israel-is-looking-east-574588
[10] ISRAEL: “Israel Among the Nations: Asia and the Pacific”, Israeli Missions in the World, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel https://embassies.gov.il/MFA/AboutIsrael/Nations/Pages/ISRAEL%20AMONG%20THE%20NATIONS-%20Asia%20and%20the%20Pacific.aspx
[11] Hana Levi Julian (2017) “ Netanyahu Plans for New Divisions for China and India in Foreign Affairs”, 6th March, 2017, Jewish Press https://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/netanyahu-plans-new-divisions-for-china-india-in-foreign-affairs/2017/03/06/
[12] PH Leads Asia Pacific Ambassadors in Meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs, Kagawaran NG Ugnayang Panlabas, Philippines https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/news-from-our-foreign-service-postsupdate/27485-ph-leads-asia-pacific-ambassadors-in-meeting-with-israeli-foreign-minister
[13] Israel Innovation Authority “International Collaboration: Asia and the Pacific https://innovationisrael.org.il/en/geography/asia-and-pacific
(2020) New Israeli Submarines to Have New Capabilities, Jerusalem Post, 19th Jan, 2022 https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-693962
[19] Sebastien Roblin (2018) ‘Israel Might Have as many as 300 Nuclear Weapons. And Some are in the ‘Ocean’, The National Interest,28th July, 2018 https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/israel-might-have-many-300-nuclear-weapons-and-some-are-ocean-27011
[20] Gilad Cohen (2020) “Win-win-win: The Abraham Accords’ Opportunities with Asia”, The Times of Israel, 3rd December, 2020 https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/win-win-win-the-abraham-accords-opportunities-with-asia/
[21] MSCI Advisory (2021), 2022-003 Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab al Mandeb, Red Sea, and Western India Ocean, Maritime Administration, US Department of Transportation, Effective Date: 28th Feb, 2022-27th Aug, 2022.https://www.maritime.dot.gov/msci/2022-003-persian-gulf-strait-hormuz-gulf-oman-arabian-sea-gulf-aden-bab-al-mandeb-strait-red
[22] Shishir Gupta (2018) “Soon India Defence Attaché’ at US Navy Bahrain Command” 21st March, Hindustan Times https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/soon-india-defence-attache-at-us-navy-bahrain-command/story-iTGPB5sLbOlod11MlprWjI.html
23] Judah Ari Gross (2021) “Israel formally moves to US Central Command Area of Responsibility”, 2nd September, 2021, The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-formally-moves-to-us-central-commands-area-of-responsibility/
[24] Economist Intelligence (2019) “Bahrain hosts Maritime and Aviation Security Meeting”, 24th October, 2019 http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=1378576521&Country=Bahrain&topic=Politics&subtopic=Forecast&subsubtopic=International+relations
[25] Seth J. Frantzman (2022)”More Drones, Artificial Intel to be used in Naval cooperation in Red Sea”, Jerusalem Post, 12th May, 2022 https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-706588
[26] ....... (2021) Jaishankar asks Israeli Diplomats to keep up ‘forward and upward trajectory in bilateral ties, Times of India, 2nd March, 2021 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jaishankar-asks-israeli-diplomats-to-keep-up-forward-and-upward-trajectory-in-bilateral-ties/articleshow/81295691.cms
[27]...........(2021) “Yemen’s Socotra, isolated island at Strategic Crossroad” The Economics Times, 7th June, 2021 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/yemens-socotra-isolated-island-at-strategic-crossroads/articleshow/83307561.cms
[28] Samuel Ramani (2021) “What UAE’s growing influence in Somaliland means for its Horn of Africa Strategy” 29th March, Al-Monitor https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/03/what-uaes-growing-presence-somaliland-means-its-horn-africa-strategy
[29] Anshel Pfeffer (2012) “Both Iran and Israel have Military Bases in Eritrea, Global Intel report” 12th December, 2012 https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-israel-iran-have-bases-in-eritrea-1.5271574
[30] Captain (Dr) Nitin Agrawala, Dr Ram Erez, Surya Narayanan (2021) Expanding Maritime Awareness in the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Mediterranean Region: India and Israel Perspective, National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi 2nd August, 2021 https://maritimeindia.org/enhancing-maritime-domain-awareness-in-the-indo-pacific-and-the-eastern-mediterrenean-regions-indian-and-israeli-perspective/
[31] Rajat Pandit (2021) “India Israel Task Force to Formulate 10-year plan to Identify New Areas in Defence Cooperation, The Times of India, 29th October, 2021 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-israel-task-force-to-formulate-10-year-plan-to-identify-new-areas-in-defence-cooperation/articleshow/87369494.cms
[32]........(2021) “Jaishanmkar visits Israel’s Ovda Airbase to meet IAF contingent taking part in biennial Blue Flag exercise”, The Economic Times, 19th October, 2021 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/jaishankar-visits-israels-ovda-airbase-to-meet-iaf-contingent-taking-part-in-biennial-blue-flag-exercise/articleshow/87138198.cms
