1. Introduction Ac know ledg ments ix
“I have nothing to lose except my obscurity.” That was the only
answer of mine that would satisfy Netanel Lorch, Israel’s military histo-
rian. At a small farewell lunch in the Maiersdorf Faculty Club at the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Lorch, who had served in Sri Lanka,
wondered whether I would be as critical once I returned to India. That
promise, which I made in October 1988, kept me going.
It is my guru, Professor M. S. Agwani, who, in his own intimidating
style, made me a serious student of the Middle East. It was under his su-
pervision that I completed my doctorate on the subject. Studying under
him remains an enduring and memorable experience for me.
I had the good fortune to have had teachers, especially Professors
K. R. Singh, Gopalji Malviya, Sadanand Patra, and A. H. H. Abidi, who
showered me with great patience, encouragement, and abiding personal
interest.
Professor Subramanian Swamy’s provocative November 1982 article
in Sunday kindled my interest in and inspired me to study the prolonged
absence of Indo- Israeli relations. He found time in his busy schedule to
go over my manuscript and off er critical comments.
A number of leading fi gures in both India and Israel shared their knowl-
edge and wisdom. They include President Chaim Herzog and Morarji