India, Israel upgrade ties; PM says ready to offer support for West Asia peace

India and Israel upgraded what PM Narendra Modi described as a time-tested relationship to a special strategic partnership, announced a new NSA-led partnership in critical and emerging technologies and reaffirmed commitment to their long-standing defence cooperation after a bilateral meeting between Modi and his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. As they signed 16 MoUs/ agreements, India and Israel also committed to an early finalisation of a mutually beneficial free trade agreement (FTA) they are currently discussing.

Carrying on from where he left in his Knesset address, Modi again strongly condemned terrorism saying it has no place in the world and, while backing the Gaza Peace Plan, stressed “humanity must never become a victim of conflict”. The PM emphasised peace and stability in West Asia is directly linked to India’s security interests.

“Therefore, from the very beginning, we have supported dialogue and a peaceful resolution of issues. This is the call of the Global South and of humanity as a whole,” said Modi in his remarks after the meeting.

“The Gaza Peace Plan has opened a pathway towards peace. India has extended its full support to these efforts. In the future as well, we will continue to engage in dialogue and cooperation with all countries,” added the PM.

In a joint statement, the leaders welcomed “President Donald Trump’s Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict". The leaders discussed the regional developments, including the peace process, and underlined the need for the establishment of a just and durable peace, security and freedom of navigation and trade in the region through dialogue and mutual understanding,” said the statement.

While discussing the regional situation, Modi and Netanyahu also spoke about the US-Iran tensions, with Modi underlining India’s “firm belief” in dialogue and the significance of pursuing a peaceful solution. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said that the PM reiterated his readiness to offer, if required, India’s support towards a peaceful solution.

The meeting resulted in more than 20 outcomes, including the signing of 16 MoUs and agreements spreading over areas like AI, education, horizon scanning, culture, labour mobility and geophysical exploration for “sustainable resource development”. The leaders also shared their vision and provided a roadmap for further strengthening “trusted cooperation” in defence, with the Indian PM saying both sides will advance towards joint development, joint production, and transfer of technology.

Modi said that technology lies at the heart of India-Israel future partnership. “Today, we have decided to establish a Critical and Emerging Technologies Partnership. This will impart fresh momentum to cooperation in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum technologies, and Critical Minerals,” he said. According to the joint statement, this initiative would synergise the individual strengths of both countries in niche technologies, fostering a focused and futuristic partnership.

Looking to promote regional connectivity, both sides agreed to move forward with “renewed momentum” on the India-Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and India–Israel–UAE–USA (I2U2).

On terrorism, Modi said that India and Israel are unequivocal in their position that terrorism cannot be accepted in any form and manifestation. “We have stood shoulder to shoulder in opposing terrorism and those who support it, and we will continue to do so," he said, carrying on from where he left on the issue in his Knesset address.

The leaders condemned cross-border terrorism in the joint statement, including the Pahalgam attack, Red Fort “terror incident” and the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist strikes. “They called for decisive and concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner. Expressing the grave concern over this common challenge, the Prime Ministers reaffirmed their collective resolve to combat this menace as the leaders of two vibrant and resilient democracies,” said the statement.

According to Modi, both sides also resolved to give agriculture collaboration a futuristic direction. “The Centres of Excellence established in India with Israel’s cooperation stand today as outstanding examples of our friendship. Encouraged by their success, we have set a target to expand their number to 100,” he said.

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