With the New Year beginning with a visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Israel is hoping to enhance cooperation with India at various levels and increase the number of high-level exchanges.
Even though no formal pacts are expected to be signed between India and Israel during Swaraj’s visit on January 17-18, Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon, said that her visit will help the two sides hold intense discussions on some of the serious issues concerning both nations. In this regard discussions on counter-terrorism, homeland security and Defence cooperation will be held.
“Defence cooperation is the central pillar of our relationship. In this regard the changing parameters in the world and new needs are on radar for discussions. Counter-terrorism, homeland security, cyber innovations, situation in the Middle East, co-operation on agriculture and water are some of the areas that will be discussed during EAM’s visit,” Carmon said.
The envoy said that Israeli companies were ready to be part of ‘Make in India’ and increasing trade and economic coperations. “India-Israel relation is beyond buyer sellor in the defence sector. It engulfs the shared value and shared challenges we both countries face and the experience we both have in this sector. Testing of long Range Surface Air Missile (lRSAM) what we call Barak-8 is a perfect example of this cooperation,” Carmon said. The missile was test fired by Israel in August last year while the Indian Navy tested it on its ship in December 2015.
He added that the Israeli companies are also open and flexible to be part of Make in India. Besides, Israel is looking for enhancing cooperation in the field of cyber security, renewable energy, water recycling, Ganga cleaning and agriculture. Israel is already helping India develop Centres for Excellence in the field of agriculture.