As New Delhi and Tel Aviv prepare for the historical moment when Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sets foot on Indian soil in September, a significant link between both countries is all set to fade away in the annals of history.Israel’s Mumbai Consulate, which served as Tel Aviv’s outpost in India, will end its 50-year association with the city on July 31. What started as an office of the Jewish agency, after India recognised Israel in 1950 to send Iraqi, Afghan and European Jewish refugees to Palestine, was later converted into a consulate.According to the Israeli Embassy here, the decision to pull down the shutters was taken in the light of the economic crisis facing the country. Mumbai is one of the five missions identified to be closed. The decision has been conveyed to the Ministry of External Affairs.At a time when Indo-Israeli ties are on the upswing, the closure of this office is bound to bring back memories of the pre-1992 era when full diplomatic relations had not been established between both countries. The Mumbai Consulate remained functional under some capacity or the other throughout these years.With 45,000 Jews in India , this office was crucial for Israel. It served as an outpost from where social, cultural and economic links were continued despite political differences between the countries. As the statement from the Israeli Embassy reads: ‘‘The Consulate was established before India and Israel achieved full diplomatic relations in 1992. Since then this office has been proactive in augmenting cultural, business and social links with the people of this country.’’The Consulate played an important role in keeping alive trade and business links. Cut diamonds from Surat continued to be exported even as big business houses shied away from establishing trade relations.However, 1992 onwards, bilateral relations between the countries have grown. Israel has emerged as one of New Delhi’s leading partners in defence cooperation. Terming it as ‘‘disheartening’’, the Israel Embassy here states: ‘‘Physically, the Consulate may not remain open but emotionally, all these years of cooperation and friendship shall still help us retain that precious bond we have formed with this vibrant city. We shall miss Mumbai as much as you would miss us. So long Mumbai.Shalom!’’
