India, Israel forge closer ties with 9 pacts

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 15

The growing India-Israel ties and personal chemistry between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu were visible as both made press statements following restricted and delegation-level talks here today.

They showered praise on each other with Netanyahu even offering to do a yoga class with Modi. Discussions focussed on key pillars of cooperation in agriculture, science and technology and security. Nine documents, including MoUs and letters of intent, were exchanged in fields of cyber security, oil and gas, air transport, homoeopathy research and films co-production.

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“In defence, I have invited Israeli companies to take advantage of the liberalised FDI regime to make more in India with our companies,” said Modi. Sources suggested the Spike anti-tank guided weapon deal came up in discussion. The deal, reportedly spiked following technical disagreement by the Indian side, is back on the table.

“Looks like some of the final terms and conditions did not suit us. So we are now taking a look at it with a different approach. Maybe to see if we can buy off the shelf that could also mean lesser numbers,” said an official source.

The joint statement issued after talks stressed on future direction for “the joint ventures and manufacturing, including transfer of technology” in defence and security fields.

On counter-terrorism, without naming any country, the joint statement read: “Recognising the grave threat that terrorism poses to peace and security, including from non-state actors, both Prime Ministers reiterated that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever and advocated strong measures against terrorists, terror organisations, those who sponsor, encourage or finance terrorism or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups.” 

Moshe Holtzberg, who lost his parents during the 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai, is part of Netanyahu’s delegation. “We remember the horrific savagery in Mumbai. We fight back. We never give in,” said Netanyahu.

The Palestinian peace process and India’s vote at the UN on US shifting its embassy to Jerusalem also figured in the conversation. 

Responding to a question, Vijay Gokhale, Secretary, Economic Relations, said, “Our side explained that we had made clear our position—both on status of Jerusalem and on Palestine. The two sides agreed that our relationship was much larger than any single issue.”