Fear is the key for businessman

Undeterred by his country's advisory, Israeli security expert was in Mumbai during Diwali

Undeterred by his country's advisory, Israeli security expert was in Mumbai during Diwali

Even as Israel's Counter-Terrorism Bureau (CTB) warned its nationals against travelling to India, Aviv Shweky, MD of Secure Gate, a security company based near Tel Aviv, Israel's largest city, was in Mumbai scouting for a business partner.

Israel issued the latest warning on October 14, saying that the threat of attacks against them has become

Not scared: Avev Shweky plans to revisit India in November. pic/Datta Kumbhar

"significantly more severe".

Shweky was aware of the warnings when he came to India; there was one in September too. Yet, he came "as Secure Gate was in the final stages of getting a local security partner". He has now returned to Israel, but only because Diwali put a brake on business. He will be back in November.

The former fighter pilot of the Israel Air Force, who was weaned on bombings and rocket attacks, said Mumbai has "changed after 26/11, both tangibly, as hotels have become fortresses, and intangiblyu00a0- in the minds of Mumbaikars".

Terming the 26/11 attac-ks an, "alarm call", Shweky stressed that prevention and a proactive approach is a huge part of tackling terror. He said, "An attack like 26/11 has to be stopped within hours, certainly a lot less than three days.

"We aim to give India the right combination of security that can help it fight motivated and well-trained terrorists. Israelis bring their knowledge of security while Indians would have knowledge of local conditions."

50,000
The approximate number of tourists from Israel who visit India annually.