Many Asian nations have not established full diplomatic relations with Israel because of their large Muslim populations and the close ties they have maintained, as part of the Non-Aligned Movement, with the Arab states and the PLO. Nevertheless, there were back-channel contacts between Israel and India, and Israel has maintained a consul in Bombay since 1948. In August 1977, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dayan covertly visited India to meet with Prime Minister Morarji Desai, but the meeting proved inconclusive. In addition, there has been a tacit relationship between Israel and the People's Republic of China in such fields as commerce, technical and agricultural programs, and arms sales. Israel has maintained friendly relations with Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand. It also has diplomatic relations with Japan, although Japan's trade relations with the Arab states and Iran take precedence over those with Israel.
Data as of December 1988