Building strategic ties with India, terror a threat to both: Israel FM

Besides counter-terrorism and security cooperation, the two ministers discussed enhanced cooperation in cybersecurity and semiconductors, participation of Indian companies in rail, road and port infrastructure in Israel, renewable energy and health, Israeli innovation in agriculture in India, and more Indian skilled workers in Israel.

Sa’ar, who recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first world leader to call Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, said the “eradication of the Hamas terror state is at the heart of (US) President (Donald) Trump’s Plan” and “we won’t compromise on it”.

Jaishankar said, “Our two nations face a particular challenge from terrorism. It is essential that we work towards ensuring a global approach of zero-tolerance towards terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations.”

“We have naturally been following developments in your region with very close attention. We welcome the return of the hostages and the remains of those who unfortunately lost their lives. India supports the Gaza Peace Plan and hopes that it paves the way for a durable and lasting solution,” he said.

Sa’ar said, “Radical terror is a mutual threat to Israel and India. We strongly condemn the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam.”

“In the Middle East, Israel faces a unique phenomenon: ‘terror states’. The radical terror states of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen have established themselves over the past decades. Uprooting them is necessary for the security and stability of our region,” he said.

“The eradication of the Hamas terror state is at the heart of President Trump’s Plan. Hamas must be disarmed. Gaza must be demilitarised. We won’t compromise on it,” he said.

He met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and, in a post on X, said, “We discussed ways to cooperate and confront our common challenges, especially the mutual threat of terror. We’re building a long-term strategic partnership between Israel and India!”

In his talks with Jaishankar, he said, “I believe that India is the future… India is the world’s largest democracy and fastest growing economy. India is a global superpower. And Israel is a regional powerhouse. Our nations already share a warm friendship. Our goal is to build a long-term strategic partnership between Israel and India.”

Jaishankar said, “India has developed many new capabilities, especially in rail, road and port infrastructure, in renewable energy and in health. Our businesses are very keen to explore opportunities in Israel and we would certainly like to give that more attention.”

“We also have a very strong record of working together in agriculture and in innovation. Taking that forward is very much in our mutual interest,” he said.

“There is a history of cooperation in semiconductors and in cyber. That has become more relevant now. We are hosting the AI Impact Summit next year in February in India and look forward very much to Israel’s presence,” he said.

Indian workers, Jaishankar said, are also present in Israel in growing numbers as a result of mobility understandings. “They have some issues which need attention and I hope we can take that dimension of our ties forward,” he said.

“Given our strategic cooperation, an exchange of perspectives on regional and global issues also holds great value. There are some plurilateral initiatives in which we both have a strong interest,” he said.

Sa’ar said, “I believe that the future for regional partnerships is bright. Israel supports regional connectivity projects such as I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and US) and IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor). We want to promote connectivity between South Asia, West Asia and Europe”.

This is Sa’ar’s first official visit to India, ahead of a possible visit by Netanyahu in December this year.