recognition without relations 133factor is rather the Kashmir dispute. India needs the support of Arab
states at the UN and fears it will jeopardize its chances for such support
by establishing a diplomatic repre sen ta tion in Israel.”^151
These developments clearly indicate that Nehru favored normalization
and made a commitment as such to Eytan. Under his explicit instruc-
tions, the ministry worked out the bud getary provisions of an Indian
mission in Israel. Dispelling early Israeli misgivings, Nehru insisted on
reciprocity and dismissed suggestions of a nonresident Indian envoy to
Israel. However, subsequent events belied not only Israeli expectations
but also Nehru’s fi rm commitments to Eytan.
Because of the absence of formal diplomatic ties with New Delhi, Is-
rael began cultivating diplomatic contacts with India in a number of
countries. Such contacts were usually maintained in Washington, New
York, London, and in non- Western capitals such as Ankara and Rangoon.
What were the motives? First and foremost, such contacts are part of nor-
mal diplomatic courtesies. Posted away from home, it was natural for In-
dian and Israeli diplomats to be friendly and cordial toward one another.
In the earlier days, India was considerably admired by the Israeli elite
and a number of Indian diplomats were favorably disposed toward Israel.
Moreover, some of the Indians who were in close contact with the Zion-
ists in the pre- 1947 years had become ambassadors, and thus their con-
tacts were strengthened. They included Panikkar, Rau, and Shiva Rao.^152
As the discussions between Rau and Eban in Washington and C. S. Jha
and Eliahu Sasson in Ankara portrayed, both sides shared a genuine feel-
ing of warmth. Indian missions abroad, at times, served as a conduit for
Israel to convey various messages, proposals, and off ers to the government
of India.^153
In some cases, diplomatic contacts with India in third countries
proved helpful to Israel when the diplomat in question was posted back
to New Delhi (as in the case of C. S. Jha)^154 or posted elsewhere (as with
Panikkar). They were used for direct access to Indian leaders, including
the prime minister. In a hitherto unknown meeting, an Israeli diplomat
had a personal meeting with Nehru’s se nior cabinet colleague Maulana
Abul Kalam Azad, when the latter was visiting Turkey. In June 1951, In-
dian Minister C. S. Jha took the initiative and or ga nized a lengthy meet-
ing between Azad and the Israeli diplomat Eliyahu Sasson. During this
meeting, Azad did not object to the normalization of relations with Is-
rael.^155 Likewise, personal contacts enabled Israel to explore and push
for diplomatic ties. The observations of K. P. S. Menon, a secretary in the