In recent years, the strategic alliance between India and Israel has deepened, raising concerns about covert activities in the Middle East. A report from the Middle East Research Center, THINK TANK JOURNAL, suggests that India and Israel are working together to establish a covert intelligence network in key Arab nations, specifically Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The report details how Indian tech companies, which have a substantial presence in these Gulf states, may be facilitating Israel’s espionage efforts. These companies, ostensibly operating for business purposes, are suspected of laying the groundwork for intelligence-gathering operations that could reshape geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Key Revelations:
According to the Pakistan Research Institute, Israel’s primary objective in building an espionage network in Saudi Arabia and the UAE is to gather intelligence on hostile forces and key players in the region, including Iran and Hezbollah. Historically, Israel has struggled to gain direct access to these Gulf states due to its political isolation within the Arab world. However, the shifting geopolitical landscape—highlighted by the Abraham Accords—has given Israel more opportunities to collaborate with Arab nations, albeit in a limited and often covert capacity.
The report reveals that Israel, unable to directly station its intelligence operatives in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is relying heavily on Indian companies as intermediaries. By embedding Indian tech firms into the region’s infrastructure projects, Israel can gain access to sensitive data without directly implicating itself. Indian companies are also providing large numbers of low-paid laborers, who may be used to serve Israel’s intelligence needs while remaining under the radar.
Why Is Israel Establishing Influence in Saudi Arabia and UAE through India?
Israel’s strategy of using India as a conduit for its operations in the Middle East is rooted in its desire to maintain covert access to sensitive information in Arab nations. Due to historical tensions and the Palestinian issue, Israel’s open engagement in countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE remains politically sensitive. Despite warming ties, especially with the UAE under the Abraham Accords, there are limits to how openly Israel can operate within the region.
To bypass these restrictions, Israel is using Indian companies to gain a foothold. India’s long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, particularly in the fields of labor and technology, makes it the ideal proxy. Israel and India have shared intelligence and defense cooperation agreements, allowing the two nations to collaborate seamlessly on covert operations.
India’s growing influence in the Gulf also serves its own strategic interests. With millions of Indian expatriates working in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, along with Indian companies playing a critical role in the region’s technological infrastructure, India is well-positioned to assist Israel in establishing an intelligence network. Moreover, this arrangement benefits India by enhancing its geopolitical standing and deepening its security ties with Israel.
Are Indian Tech Companies Active in Saudi Arabia and UAE?
Indian tech companies have a significant presence in the Gulf states, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Major players such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra have secured large-scale contracts in these nations. These contracts cover a wide range of sectors, including cybersecurity, infrastructure development, telecommunications, and digital transformation. Indian companies have become indispensable partners for the Gulf states, handling sensitive data and overseeing critical infrastructure projects.
For example, Indian companies are involved in mapping and surveying Saudi Arabia’s underground sewage system, a project that provides them with extensive knowledge of the region’s geo-spatial data. Similarly, Indian tech firms are responsible for managing cybersecurity in the UAE, giving them access to sensitive communications data. This presence has raised concerns about how this data could be used by Israel, especially considering the close intelligence-sharing agreements between India and Israel.
Why is Indian Cheap Labor Suddenly Being Provided in Saudi Arabia and UAE?
The sudden influx of cheap Indian labor into Saudi Arabia and the UAE has raised eyebrows, particularly given the scale of the migration. Indian laborers are being employed in various sectors, including infrastructure development, telecommunications, and IT services, at wages that are significantly lower than the regional standard. This massive labor movement, according to the Middle East Research Center, is part of a broader covert strategy.
By embedding low-cost laborers into key infrastructure projects, India can create a network of informants who, knowingly or unknowingly, gather intelligence for Israeli interests. This arrangement allows Israel to access sensitive information without deploying its operatives, as Indian laborers are far less conspicuous. The widespread employment of Indian workers across multiple sectors provides ample opportunities for intelligence-gathering.
The Indian cheap labor network also benefits both India and Israel strategically. India can deepen its economic ties with the Gulf states while serving its intelligence-sharing agreement with Israel. For Israel, the use of Indian laborers offers a low-risk way to gather intelligence in hostile environments.
How Did Indian Companies Help Israel in Pager Attacks in Lebanon?
One of the most chilling revelations concerning Indian-Israeli collaboration is the role that Indian companies played in facilitating Israel’s pager attacks in Lebanon. In 2023, hundreds of pagers and walkie-talkies exploded across Lebanon, killing dozens and injuring thousands. These devices were supplied by Norta Global Ltd, an Indian-founded company based in Bulgaria.
The explosions targeted members of Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group that opposes Israel. While Israel has not officially commented on the attacks, the international community has widely attributed the operation to Israeli forces. Norta Global’s involvement in the supply chain of these booby-trapped pagers highlights how Indian companies are being used to support Israeli covert operations, further solidifying the link between the two nations’ intelligence communities.
An international arrest warrant was issued for Rinson Jose, the Indian-Norwegian founder of Norta Global, in connection with the attacks. This case underscores the deepening ties between India and Israel in covert military operations, and it raises serious questions about how Indian companies are being used as tools in Israel’s regional espionage activities.
How Did Officers of the Indian Navy Continue to Spy for Israel in Qatar?
In another significant case, eight former Indian naval officers were arrested in Qatar in 2022 for allegedly passing sensitive submarine-related information to Israel. These officers had been employed by Dahra Global Technologies and Consulting Services, a private firm that was involved in sensitive military projects in Qatar. They were initially sentenced to death, although diplomatic negotiations eventually led to their release.
This case highlights how Indian military personnel have been involved in covert operations for Israel in the Gulf. The officers’ deep involvement in submarine technologies—an area of critical interest for Israel—suggests that this is part of a broader espionage network operating in the region. The fact that Indian military personnel were able to pass sensitive information to Israel over an extended period indicates a well-established intelligence-sharing relationship between the two nations.
How Did India Create an Anti-Muslim Narrative by Creating a Fake Information Network in Europe?
India’s covert activities are not limited to the Middle East. A 2019 investigation by EU DisinfoLab uncovered a vast disinformation network operating across Europe. This network, which was run by Indian entities, promoted anti-Muslim and anti-Pakistan narratives while working to enhance India’s global image. The network included fake NGOs, media outlets, and even members of the European Parliament, all working to disseminate pro-India content and smear its rivals.
This disinformation campaign aligns closely with Israel’s interests, as it seeks to undermine Iran, Pakistan, and other Muslim-majority nations that oppose Israel’s policies. By creating a false narrative around these countries, India and Israel can justify their covert operations in the region. The disinformation network also targeted pro-Palestinian voices, amplifying the geopolitical objectives of both Israel and India.
Growing presence
The alleged establishment of a spy network by Israel in Saudi Arabia and the UAE with the help of Indian companies is a significant development in Middle Eastern geopolitics. By using Indian tech firms, low-paid laborers, and military personnel, Israel has found a covert way to extend its intelligence reach into the Gulf states without drawing attention. This growing presence has raised concerns in the international community, particularly in nations wary of Israel’s expanding influence in the region.
As India continues to strengthen its economic and political ties with the Gulf, the potential for further espionage activities remains high. The close intelligence-sharing agreement between Israel and India, combined with India’s extensive presence in the Gulf, presents a unique challenge for Arab nations seeking to safeguard their sovereignty and security.
References
- Middle East Research Center. (2024). India-Israel Espionage Network in the Gulf. (2024)Think Tank Journal.
- Reuters. (2023). Rinson Jose and the Pager Attacks in Lebanon: An Indian Connection.
- EU DisinfoLab. (2019). Indian Disinformation Network in Europe: Creating Anti-Muslim Narratives.
- The Times of India. (2022). Eight Former Indian Naval Officers Accused of Espionage in Qatar.
- Al Jazeera. (2023). The Role of Indian Labor in Gulf Infrastructure Projects.
- Financial Times. (2023). India’s Growing Influence in Gulf States: Strategic or Opportunistic?.
- The Diplomat. (2023). India and Israel: A Deepening Intelligence Alliance.
- Haaretz. (2023). Israel’s Covert Operations in the Middle East: Expanding Through Allies.
