India adopts Israel model with strict rules on Kashmir and espionage

India and Israel Strengthen Ties Through Governance Model

A private event in November 2019 revealed a comment made by Sandeep Chakravorty, India’s then consul general in New York. Chakravorty stated that India could adopt an “Israeli model” in Indian-administered Kashmir, referencing the resettlement of thousands of Kashmiri Hindus who fled their homeland in 1989. This comment was made during a time when millions in Kashmir were under a military lockdown and communication blackout.

Six years later, Chakravorty’s words have taken on significance as India and Israel strengthen their ties. The two countries are bound by more than just friendship, trade, and military partnerships. Analysts suggest that they share an ideological vision, with Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rooted in a philosophy of Hindutva, which seeks to turn India into a Hindu nation.

India has openly embraced Israel at the expense of its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause. However, New Delhi has also adopted elements of Israel’s security and administrative approach to Palestinians, incorporating them into domestic policies since Modi took power in 2014. One notable example is the “bulldozer justice” policy, where authorities have demolished homes and shops without legal notices, often following religious tensions or protests.

Analysts point to a shared ideological vision between India and Israel, with both countries viewing themselves as civilizational projects and Muslims as demographic and security threats. The friendship has led to India seeing Israel as a template for its move towards becoming a great power. Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, is known by his supporters as “Bulldozer Baba,” reflecting the BJP’s approach to governance.

The relationship between India and Israel continues to deepen, with Modi set to visit Israel starting on February 25. The two countries’ ties are expected to have significant implications for their respective policies and governance models.

Source: Al Jazeera