In recent years, the connection between India and Israel has sharpened, catalyzed by shared ideologies and security concerns that resonate deeply within their governments. This evolving relationship has prompted a significant re-evaluation of policies impacting not just international dynamics, but also domestic populations, particularly in regions like Kashmir. The approach taken by both nations invites scrutiny and highlights a troubling intersection of governance strategies that warrant a closer examination.
New Delhi, India – At a private event in November 2019, Sandeep Chakravorty, India’s then consul general in New York, was recorded advocating for New Delhi to embrace an “Israeli model” in Indian-administered Kashmir. This call came during a period when millions in Kashmir were enduring a stringent military lockdown and a communication blackout, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-majoritarian government stripping the region of its semi-autonomous status months earlier. The draconian measures resulted in thousands of arrests, including political leaders supportive of the Indian state.
Chakravorty referred specifically to Israel’s settlements in occupied Palestinian territories, alluding to the potential resettling of thousands of Kashmiri Hindus displaced during an armed uprising against Indian governance that began in 1989. “If the Israeli people can do it, we can also do it,” he asserted, expressing confidence in Modi’s government’s commitment to this agenda.
Six years later, Chakravorty’s words resonate loudly amidst Modi’s anticipated second visit to Israel on February 25. The relationship between the two countries has evolved beyond mere friendship, trade, and military collaboration; they are now interconnected through various governance strategies. Analysts note that India has adopted elements of Israel’s security and administrative methods, especially against dissenting populations, mirroring tactics employed in Palestine.
At the core of these strengthened ties is an ideological alignment that some analysts characterize as troubling. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under Modi, seeks to transform India into a Hindu nation—similar to Israel’s self-perception as a Jewish homeland. Azad Essa, author of “Hostile Homelands: The New Alliance Between India and Israel,” noted that this bond manifests in policies viewing certain populations as security risks.
A testament to this painful parallel is what has been termed “bulldozer justice,” wherein local authorities demolish homes and shops—often of Muslim residents—without legal recourse. These actions, purportedly to uphold law and order following communal tensions, bear striking similarities to Israel’s destruction of Palestinian homes to facilitate illegal settlements. Yogi Adityanath, a pivotal BJP leader often referred to as “Bulldozer Baba,” has become a controversial figure due to these demolitions.
As these policies gain momentum, Muslim communities across India have experienced increased social ostracism, particularly evident in issues related to housing and education. Recent judicial determinations have failed to halt such demolitions, emphasizing a resilient governmental approach to suppress dissent amid claims of national security.
The defense relationship between India and Israel also remains a significant pillar of their partnership, with India purchasing advanced military equipment from Israel. This includes collaborations in counter-terrorism training and surveillance technologies, instilling a securitized state philosophy reminiscent of Israeli governance. Following violent incidents in Kashmir, public discourse in India has likened the nation’s response to Israel’s methods, further cementing this bilateral rapport.
Despite the complexities of each nation’s socio-political landscape, analysts remain concerned about the implications of such ideological borrowing. With Kashmir undergoing a militarization strategy similar to that of the West Bank, the governance model employed by the Modi government increasingly echoes Israel’s methods of control—characterized by military presence, surveillance, and restrictions on civil liberties.
Both nations’ approaches reveal a troubling alignment that raises questions about the future of democratic governance, civil rights, and the treatment of internal dissent. As these political dynamics unfold, the nuanced interplay between their systems continues to evolve, demanding critical observation from international communities.
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