Modi in Israel: PM's Haifa visit tomorrow to highlight India's role in two world wars
Indian war heroes, their families are delighted and have called PM Modi's visit to the cemetery as an act to highlight the role which Indian soldiers played during the World War-I and World War-II.
In Short
- Modi's visit to Haifa cemetery is being seen as act of highlighting role of Indian soldiers during world wars
- Haifa attack and its victory will always be dedicated to soldiers Jodhpur and Mysore: Army historian, Bajwa
- Haifa will be remembered as the last major cavalry action
Amid the speculations that India will be fuelling its military modernisation programme by buying high-tech weapons from Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi by visiting Haifa India Cemetery on Thursday will convey to the whole world how India fought for world peace, that too voluntarily during the world wars.
Indian war heroes, their families are delighted and have called PM Modi's visit to the cemetery as an act to highlight the role which Indian soldiers played during the World War-I and World War-II. The visit is gaining importance as it was considered that the Indian soldiers, who fought for the allies voluntarily were not given much precedence before.
"Prime Minister Modi by visiting Israel and Haifa Cemetery, in particular, has highlighted the role of Indian martyrs which was so far was missing. They were not given much importance simply because they fought as soldiers of allies. This is an open message to the world that the nation which can fight for the global peace voluntarily can also go to any length after nearly 100 years, when it is regarded as an emerging Asian super power," says Lieutenant General PN Hoon (retired).
Well known Army historian, Mandeep Singh Bajwa said Prime Minister Modi's Haifa visit will summit the role that India played during the two world wars fighting against fascism.
ISRAEL IS AN OLD STRATEGIC PARTNER
While the critics are fearing that India can acquire deadliest weapons from Israel like F-15A/C-Baz (Falcon), Namer Armored Personnel Carrier, AH-64 Seraph (Winged Serpent), Spike Missile System and Merkava Main Battle Tanks, the two countries believe the shared priorities can help in building global peace and stability.
Bajwa said Israel has been a trusted strategic partner and acquiring strategic technology from the Jewish nation, known for its military prowess, will not only modernise our military but will also keep the hostile neighbours like Pakistan and China at bay.
"Strategic ties with Israel are not new in the sense that after 1962 War, they helped us with weapons. Just before 1971 War, we bought 160 MM heavy mortars from them. They performed well in Shakargarh sector during the 1971 War. Though this was kept as a hush hush deal and the mortars were routed through Finland as we did not have diplomatic relations with Israel and also because we did not want to annoy the Arabs or own Muslim electorate. However, Israel has been helping us all throughout in the field of anti-terrorism and in providing intelligence, and other matters of strategic value. Israel has always helped us," said Bajwa.
Bajwa also added that India and Israel are the only vibrant democracies located between the states of Gibraltar and Melaka, and it is very natural that India and Israel work together.
HAIFA WILL BE REMEMBERED AS LAST MAJOR CAVALRY ACTION
The battle of Haifa, won with the help of Indian princely state Armies, is also remembered as the last successful horse cavalry action. According to Mandeep Singh Bajwa, the biggest lesson of the World War-I was that horse cavalry was no longer relevant in the battlefield as a weapon of offence, primarily because of trench warfare machine gun advances in artillery and introduction of barbed wire.
"In this action, Indian cavalry played a major role and we found that after World War-I the horse cavalry disappeared from the scene," informed Bajwa.
The Haifa attack and its victory will always be dedicated to the Indian soldiers from the princely states like Jodhpur and Mysore.
"Though it was a large composite battle but the thing, which led to victory was mounted by the soldiers of 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade that comprised of the regiments of the princely states of Jodhpur and Mysore. And then there were contingents from smaller states like Bhavnagar that had a contingent which was attached with Mysore Lancers," added Bajwa.
Besides Jodhpur and Mysore lancers, Hyderabad lancers were also on the battleground but they were used on the lines of communication to guard and escort prisoners of the war.
"The attack masterminded by Jodhpur and Mysore lancers was successful. Their own causalities were minimal and had captured 1350 Turkish and German soldiers along with a number of guns and other ammunition," remembers Mandeep Singh Bajwa.
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