Why India Is Not learning From Israel?

Besides desirous illegal immigrants there are others wishing to infiltrate into the United States from Mexico to unsettle the US authorities, so as to ensure a continual exodus of immigrants to the “dream land” to escape their privation and misery.

Mr. Elkabetz made a power point presentation which graphically detailed how Israel protects its border with Gaza. Through an array of technological aids, with corrective oversight mechanisms to make their functionality fool proof.

Worried by the above, the Homeland Security in the US invited Brigadier-General Roei Elkabetz –an expert from the Israeli Army as early as Oct 2012. Mr. Elkabetz made a power point presentation which graphically detailed how Israel protects its border with Gaza. Through an array of technological aids, with corrective oversight mechanisms to make their functionality fool proof. Such devices consisted of seismic sensor systems, Elbits Hemes ( UAV’s ) ground surveillance radars etc. Such fortification, facilitated by sophisticated drones are ideally suited to identify likely offenders much in advance of any plausible peril.

The Department of Homeland Security has since adopted the Israeli technology. The ELM -2112 family of grand surveillance radars developed by ELTA Systems ( a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries) currently in use by the Israeli Defence Forces ( IDF ) can detect individuals within a 20 kilometre range and vehicles within 40 kilometres. These radars feature four stationary antennas, each covering a 90 degree sector enabling persistent surveillance and a wide horizon visual and sound track. When multiple radars are combined into a single system, it presents an integrated picture.1

One might ask what if the likely intruder/s disable this complex system before trying mischievous antics. The answer lies in the fact that such systems can be made tamper proof through alarm alerts ; drone surveillance and random helicopter oversight, in addition to meticulous border patrolling.

This technology has proved successful in Israel, firewalling all its borders be it with the West Bank, the Gaza Strip-Sinai belt, Jordan and Lebanon. This is even more invaluable now considering the likelihood of IS jihadis threatening to intrude into Israel through Jordan.2

The 130 metre wide riverbed in Bamiyal –which is believed to have provided access to the Pathankot attack terrorists would not have been a conduit for them, had we taken a cue from Israel.

Taking the above into account there is no reason why India cannot, or should not absorb the above technology and install electronic border fences with Bangladesh, as well as on its border with Pakistan. The 130 metre wide riverbed in Bamiyal –which is believed to have provided access to the Pathankot attack terrorists would not have been a conduit for them, had we taken a cue from Israel. Of course, even the thermal imagers which were in place in the Bamiyal zone when the infiltrators moved across the border, were not functioning-and sadly , there were no systems in place to monitor their functional efficiency.

Home Minister’s visit to Israel:

India’s Home-Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh visited Israel in Nov 2014. Israeli technical knowhow for border protection was sought and Prime-Minister Netanyahu agreed to offer the same. We did not take the initiative for prompt action . India’s getting caught in red tape and unnecessary feet dragging resulted in the Pathankot as well as the Gurdaspur fiascos .

Confidence Building:

The comprehensive Dialogue process should continue. However, our sincere attempts at normalizing ties with Islamabad, by itself do not ensure that every individual from Pakistan who crosses the border into India should have his or her identity or, bonafides unchecked –it is very risky not to do so. Ergo, biometrics should be used besides physical frisking wherever required. It has, in the past, been noticed that Pakistani citizens ostensibly coming for cricket matches have overstayed their Visa permitted time limits and failed to report to authorities and in the interim indulged in terror acts with impunity.

DRDO should be more proactive and innovative not only to encourage self reliance and “make in India “more visible but primarily to expedite every uncovered area of national security.

Since many such terrorists from across the border have local support and considering such people can easily be confused and taken to be Indian nationals, since the manner of their speech, or the colour of their skin will not tell an Indian from a Pakistani –it is only scientific benchmarks like biometrics coupled by a more hawkish policing which can deliver.

The India-Israel defence partnership has stood the test of time ever since the Kargil war and even earlier. Israel’s ambassador to India Mark Sofer has stated “ We have a defence relationship with India, which is no secret. On the other hand what is secret is- what is the defence relationship. And with all due respect the secret pact, will remain secret.”3

This writer would strongly advocate that the DRDO should be more proactive and innovative not only to encourage self reliance and “make in India “more visible but primarily to expedite every uncovered area of national security.