June 19, 2007:
Israel and India are increasing
their cooperation in the fight against Islamic terrorism. India has been
suffering from Islamic violence for centuries, but Israel has been at the
forefront in developing effective weapons, equipment and tactics to deal with
the problem. At the moment, Israeli troops are in Kashmir, sharing their
knowledge of how to keep Islamic terrorists from sneaking across borders.
Although the Israeli experience is largely related to desert and semi-tropical
borders, it is applicable for the mountains and forests more typical of Kashmir
as well. The Israeli methods are highly dependent on many types of sensors, and
computer software that can "learn" which combination of sensor readings
indicate some guys with guns trying to move through an area. Israel has already
sold India millions of dollars worth of night vision devices, which the Indians
have used with great success against the terrorist line crossers. The Israeli
sensors were not always as successful as they should be, and the Israeli
trainers and technical experts are now in Kashmir to work out the kinks, and
set the stage for some large new sensor sales.
India has been able to supply Israel with a lot of
useful intelligence on al Qaeda activities, and what Iran is up to. India has
maintained good relations with Iran, which has been a trading partner for
thousands of years. In this case, tradition and mutual-need trumps religious
differences. India also has a good informant network in Pakistan and
Afghanistan.