NEW DELHI: India and Israel have survived against huge odds in a very hostile neighbourhood and in an effort to find suitable solutions, the two countries will jointly explore using space technologies as a counter measure to thwart the menace of terrorism while also meeting the civilian applications of space.Both Jerusalem and New Delhi have deep strengths in space technology. Born within the same year, both have to spend massive amounts of money to secure their borders from their neighbours.The heads of the Israel Space Agency (ISA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation ( ISRO ) met this week in Bengaluru to draw up a roadmap of cooperation in this high technology sector. If all goes well early in 2017 two Israeli Nano-satellites will also be launched from Sriharikota.Avi Blasberger, director general of the Israel Space Agency (ISA), confirmed that one key area of cooperation being explored is "remote sensing using microwaves".This is essentially a technology where special birds called RadarSats are deployed that have the built in capability of day and night surveillance and these eyes in the skies can even see through overcast cloudy skies, giving the enemy little room to hide.In common parlance, this sophisticated technology is often termed as "spy satellites" since one can keep a track of one's enemy 24x7 in all weather conditions.It is no secret that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu have a mutual fan club and both have respect for each other's styles of governance.Blasberger said the "environment between the two countries is very good and joint projects and joint space missions could be a big possibility".Israel has some of the best radar imaging technology and in 2008, India launched on behalf of Israel, a satellite called TecSAR. This small 295-kg satellite was successfully placed in orbit using India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle ( PSLV ) launched from Sriharikota.Israel lacked an indigenous rocket that could launch a satellite of this nature and India's east facing rocket port is ideally suited with a flight path that goes over oceans as against the Israeli rocket port.This TecSAR reconnaissance satellite has the capability of mapping object at a resolution of less than a meter from its perch some 500 km above earth. This eye in the sky reports suggest helped Israel map the military capabilities of its hostile neighbours. It was considered one of the most advanced spy satellites of its kind.Later, India also procured from Israel a similar satellite which New Delhi named RISAT-2. In 2009 this 300 kg special beast that could track as some reports suggest objects as small as 10 cm was hoisted into space using the PSLV.This satellite from its 400-km orbit has been actively used by India to monitor activities in camps across the border in Pakistan to thwart infiltration bids by terrorists.Experts say images from RISAT-2 helped in India launching the " surgical strikes " across the line of control this year that resulted in Indian military annihilating several "terrorist launch pads" in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.Both countries have indeed secured their borders using these special microwave imaging satellites. Blasberger for the first time confirmed that "the space agencies of the two countries were not directly involved" in India launching the Israeli satellite 'TecSAR' and in India procuring its clone RISAT-2.Blasberger said both ISA and ISRO work in the area of supporting the civilian programs.Blasberger said "Israel will be happy to provide more RISAT-2 type reconnaissance satellites to India" if New Delhi made a request. But what is most significant is that the two countries have now set up a special working group to enhance and explore how best "microwave imaging" can help both countries.India has also developed and launched its own special Radar imaging satellite called RISAT-1. It may be noted that radar satellites are also very helpful in mapping floods and other agriculture related activities.Blasberger said "Israel has special capabilities in fabricating precision cameras and miniaturisation of space equipment". On the other hand he felt India has highly developed rockets that can deploy heavy satellites in space. This "complementarity" can be a win-win for both countries which have advanced space technologies at their disposal, according to Blasberger.The heads of two space agencies have also agreed to set up joint teams that would explore how to build bridges between the two space fairing nations in cutting edge areas like "electrical propulsion, remote sensing and communications".Rather upbeat after his visit to some of the ISRO facilities in Bengaluru, Blasberger felt "working together will cultivate more work for the future".It seems hostile neighbours on earth is forcing India and Israel to join hands in space to secure their future.