Israel - Asia Relations, Any Impact on Pakistan?

[Lankan Ranger]

Israel - Asia Relations, Any Impact on Pakistan?

Israel maintains diplomatic relations with most Asian states. The growing economic strength and political influence of these countries has contributed to the intensification of ties in the political, cultural and, above all, economic spheres.

Technical cooperation with Israel in the areas of scientific R&D, rural development, agriculture and education has played an important role in strengthening relations with the developing countries of the region.

Israel and China established diplomatic relations in 1992. Since then, they have developed their relations steadily, culminating in the historic visit of the Chinese president to Israel in 2000 and the visits of three Israeli presidents to Beijing.

Diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea (South Korea) were established in1962. In the last few years the relations are booming in every field. In the year 2007, foreign ministers of both countries exchanged visits.

Israel also maintains good relations with many ASEAN member countries.

Some of these ties date back 50 years and more, as in the case of Myanmar, Thailand and the Philippines. Some ties began more recently, when Israel with Cambodia, and Laos. Relations with Vietnam have developed rapidly since 1993, especially in the fields of economics, trade and agricultural cooperation. An annual political dialogue was established between the two foreign ministries in 2005.

Nepal and Israel have a long tradition of close and very friendly relations, which began in the early 1960s. Nepal's foreign minister visited Jerusalem for the first time in 2007, announcing the opening of an embassy in Tel Aviv.

Israel has had full diplomatic relations with Australia and New Zealand for many years. In recent years, relations were established with 12 independent island nations of the Pacific. Israel shares with these countries its experience in various fields.

Since the mid-1980s, Israel and Japan have expanded their bilateral relations, reflected in the signing of several agreements and in the reciprocal visits of prime ministers. Japan has also played a significant role in the multilateral peace process.

Diplomatic relations with India, which started in 1992, have also intensified since the late 90s in all aspects. In 2003, Israel's prime minister made the first ever visit to New Delhi. In the year 2000, Israel renewed diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.

ISRAEL AMONG THE NATIONS: Asia and the Pacific

 

[Lankan Ranger]

 

[Lankan Ranger]

PAKISTAN - ISRAEL RELATIONS: THE 'FIRST FORMAL CONTACT'

The 'height' of Israel-Pakistan relations-- The meeting of Israeli and Pakistani foreign ministers was seen by Euro papers as an "important diplomatic result" for an Israel that hopes to end its "isolated" status. Israeli media were far more restrained, with pluralist Yediot Aharonot characterizing the meeting as a welcome but "mainly symbolic" message to the Islamic world.

This may not be a "huge breakthrough," penned Canada's conservative National Post, but it does represent the "first fruits" of Israel's disengagement from Gaza.

The 'essence' of Pakistan's 'interests'-- Most papers, including some Pakistani media, acknowledged that "American influence" and Israel's "warming" military ties with India were responsible for Islamabad's redirection.

This is an important "calculation," said the centrist Indian Express, now that the U.S. is appearing more "accommodative" of India. One Israeli writer posited that Pakistan might view talks between the two nuclear-capable countries as a means of "curbing pressures" to commit to non-proliferation after recently being found "partially responsible" for Iran's nuclear program.

Populist Pakistani media instead spotlit Pakistan's interest in having a "constructive role" in the Palestine issue, arguing that only countries having "good relations" with both Israel and the Palestinians can take part in resolving the dispute.

'Pak-Israel relations...positive or negative?'-- Centrist and populist Pakistani papers argued that declining to engage with Israel would be "pure folly," emphasizing that Pakistan will "stick to its stand" not to recognize Israel until a Palestinian state has been created.

While there isn't "necessarily any harm" in talking, noted center-left Dawn, it is "hard to avoid" the fact that the government made a decision without "popular or parliamentary consultations, as is the norm." These decisions do not "reflect the popular will," agreed popular Ausaf.

Even more critical right-wing Jasarat called Musharraf a person of "dangerous mental frame." In view of similar criticism, nationalist Nawa-e-Waqt advised the government to "take the people into confidence," and explain the reasons behind this "sudden meeting."

PAKISTAN - ISRAEL RELATIONS: THE 'FIRST FORMAL CONTACT'

 

[bc040400065]

Ofcourse there is no harm is engaging Isreal but it should not be like India Pakistan Composite dialogue with no fruitful result after so many years. If Pakistan can play a role for the palestine cause then there is no harm in talks with Isreal. Ofcourse war is not a solution any more.