‘Our future is set to be one of cooperation’

Sandeep Dikshit

ISRAELI President Reven Rivlin left India on Monday, after a landmark visit during which he spoke to The Tribune about the new destination for Indian students and the 32 Indo-Israel joint centres in farm research that seem to be on the verge of breakthroughs. Israel has emerged as India's biggest supplier for defence equipment, after Russia. There are many under-the-radar projects on security and surveillance. In keeping with Israel's policy of withholding comment on such issues, Rivlin also kept his counsel. Excerpts from the interview: 

You have come when India and Israel are celebrating 25 years of diplomatic ties. How do you assess the time gone by and the future?

I am here to celebrate the last 25 years since we established full diplomatic relations. I am being accompanied by a delegation of leading business, trade, and academic figures to speak about how Israelis and Indians can continue to work together for the next 25 years and beyond. Our future is set to be one of cooperation: Israeli technologies being scaled up by the might of India's market and production capabilities. 

We know, of course, that Israel and India have even longer connections stretching back 1000 years and more. As President Mukherjee noted when he visited last year, Israel and India are two modern nations with ancient civilisations. I have brought an example of letters written by Jewish traders 1,000 years ago, which speak of the wonderful produce on the ships coming to and from India. Around 1,000 years before that, as the Jewish fighters made their final stand against the Roman Empire at the fIght of Masada, their commander Elazar Ben Yair spoke of the inspiration they took from the firm belief in liberty of Indian people. We have more common experiences in the more recent past too. We both gained our independence from British rule nearly 70 years ago. Of course, we both live in turbulent regions with the ever-present need to protect our peoples. We are proud of our histories — and filled with hope for our common futures.

Can you summarise the outcome of your visit, especially the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  Are we likely to see Modi visit Israel in 2017?

I reiterated our invitation to Prime Minister Modi, and I am hopeful he will be able to come. I have received, and am deeply grateful for, a very warm welcome and unparalleled hospitality in India. It would be an honour to repay some of that kindness. 

To summarise, I would turn to some key moments — paying my respects at the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi, visiting the Karnal centre for agriculture run by Israel's international cooperation and development agency, MASHAV, and to speak at the business cooperation seminar. Crucially, the true building blocks for our future are the more than 20 academic collaboration agreements signed between Israeli and Indian universities. 

Of course, I met the Jewish community in India — another important bridge between our countries. I will pay respects at the site of some of the terror attacks which have taken the lives of both Israelis and Indians — a reminder of why we must remain strong in the defence of our shared values.

What is the extent of complimentarity between the two countries, specifically on security and counter-terrorism? Six Jews were among the victims of the Mumbai attacks in 2008. Ypu paid homage to their memory. when will Israel feel there has been closure? Both India and Israel are fighting wars againast terrorism, how do you see them collaborate in future? 

As an answer to both points, I would stress clearly that Israel and India have been targeted by terrorism because we both uphold the values of freedom and democracy. Terror is terror is terror, wherever it strikes. We will continue to stand together with the free world in the defence of our values and peoples.

You had noted that the first priority of the new US government should be to mend the frayed relationship with Israel's government. Can you give an overview?

I have often spoken about the importance of Israel's strong and non-partisan relationship with the United States. The morning after the election, I congratulated the President-elect and noted that there were many challenges at home and around the world, and Israel as a firm ally was ready work together to turn challenges into opportunities.

Your delegation includes academics and education is a thrust area in India-Israel ties. Out of the specific subject areas, which is suitable for collaboration with India?

I can't think of one where cooperation is not suitable! In particular — Prime Minister Modi noted — we should  work on increasing the exchanges of students, Indian students studying in Israel, and Israeli lecturers and professors teaching in India for extended periods of time. Already, 10 per cent of international students in Israel are from India, and over 40 joint research projects are underway. This is the tip of the iceberg. I would certainly say that as our universities are the meeting point for industry and research, we can do so much in food security and water conservation for the next generations. Israeli companies are now working to produce water from thin air — the imagination today knows no limits, and neither should our cooperation.

Drip irrigation is reportedly an Israeli specialty. What are the other areas in agriculture is Israel looking at?

Indeed, drip irrigation is an Israeli innovation that has revolutionised agriculture worldwide. Food security and water management, recycling, conservation and desalination and dairy farming are some other areas we are cooperating in for the benefit of both our people.