In a notable historical event, India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, embarked on a visit to Gaza in 1960, where Indian troops were stationed as part of a United Nations (UN) mission. However, this visit stirred the displeasure of the Israeli government.
Upon Nehru’s return from Gaza, a striking incident unfolded. Two Israeli fighter jets closely tailed the plane carrying the Indian Prime Minister. The Israeli pilots executed a series of aerial maneuvers, serving as a bold display of their profound disapproval of Nehru’s visit to Palestine.
This act by the Israeli fighter jets signified the tensions and political intricacies of the time, with the Israeli government expressing its reservations regarding Nehru’s engagement with the Palestinian territory. Nehru’s visit to Gaza was a testament to India’s commitment to peacekeeping efforts, which included deploying troops as part of UN missions, even in regions of global dispute and controversy.
The episode serves as a historical anecdote, shedding light on the complex dynamics that have historically surrounded international diplomacy and the Middle East conflict. Nehru’s mission to Gaza and the Israeli reaction to it continue to be discussed and remembered in the context of India’s foreign policy and its contributions to global peacekeeping efforts.
