The answer isn’t diplomatic support. Given its anti-American orientation, China is unlikely to side with a U.S. ally on the world stage. India for its part has a large Muslim population and a consistently pro-Palestinian record. But Israel isn’t after diplomatic gains, certainly not in the short run. The answer lies elsewhere, writes Evelyn Gordon:
The EU currently accounts for about one-third of Israel’s exports. This constitutes a dangerous vulnerability, because Europe is the one place worldwide where Israel faces a real danger of economic boycotts and sanctions. Granted, few European leaders actually want this; they consider the economic relationship with Israel mutually beneficial. But European leaders are generally far more pro-Israel than their publics, and since European countries are democracies, public opinion matters.
And this explains what Israel seeks from China and India, two countries with a history of not allowing policy disagreements to interfere with business. If Israel can build up its Asian trade enough to reduce its economic dependence on Europe, it will be better placed to withstand European pressure to adopt policies inimical to its survival.
Read more on Commentary: http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2014/09/30/what-israel-really-wants-from-ties-with-china-and-india/