India, Israel upgrade ties; PM backs Gaza peace plan

PM Narendra Modi in Israel on Thursday said, “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.

”In a joint statement, PM Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed US President Donald Trump’s “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict”. They 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 signing of 16 MoUs/agreements spreading over areas like AI, education, horizon scanning, culture, labour mobility and geophysical exploration for “sustainable resource development”.

The leaders shared their vision and provided a roadmap for further strengthening “trusted cooperation” in defence, with Modi saying both sides will advance towards joint development, joint production, and transfer of technology.

Modi said technology lies at the heart of India-Israel future partnership. “We have decided to establish a Critical and Emerging Technologies Partnership. This will impart fresh momentum to cooperation in areas such as AI, 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 Oct 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 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.