Ariel Sharon plans to become the first Israeli prime minister to visit India since both nations were carved from the former British empire more than 50 years ago.
For India, which established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, Sharon’s plans for a visit–scheduled for Monday, though it is not yet known how developments in the Middle East will affect his plans–will be the most public acknowledgment yet of how far its foreign policy has shifted from its once unequivocal support for Palestinian self-determination.
While it still mouths that support, it is now balanced by a growing friendship with Israel. While back-channel and security ties between the countries existed before normalized relations, India is only overtly playing up the alliance now, including deepening military ties.
The relationship has been strengthened by an ideological affinity for Israel by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Hindu nationalist party that leads the Indian government, and especially by the perception of a shared threat in Islamic terrorism.
“Terror is the major issue and challenge for both countries,” said Yaron Mayer, a spokesman for the Israeli Embassy here.
