INDIA and Israel on Thursday elevated their “time-tested” relationship to a special strategic partnership and agreed to fast-track a long-awaited free trade deal even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi backed the Gaza peace initiative, asserting that humanity must never become a victim of conflict. In his media statement after holding wide-ranging talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi said India’s security interests are directly linked to peace and stability in the Middle East and that New Delhi has been pitching for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Gaza. Following meeting between the two Prime Ministers, India and Israel inked a total of 17 agreements and documents that will provide for deeper cooperation in artificial intelligence, trade, investment, education, manufacturing, culture, maritime heritage, agriculture and a plethora of other areas. The two sides also vowed to expand their already close defence partnership by working towards joint development and joint production of military hardware under the framework of the transfer of technologies.

 

The US-Iran stand-off and other issues in the region figured in the talks and PM Modi mentioned India’s firm belief in the value of dialogue and reiterated New Delhi’s readiness to offer support, if required, toward achieving a peaceful solution, according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The Prime Minister also announced the establishment of an India-Israel critical and emerging technologies partnership to impart a new momentum for cooperation in areas of artificial intelligence, quantum, and critical minerals. “I am pleased that an agreement has been reached for the use of UPI in Israel,” he said. “Our economic cooperation remains an engine of growth, innovation, and shared prosperity. Last year, we signed a bilateral investment agreement to promote mutual investment. We will also soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA),” Modi said. The Prime Minister also talked about the joint resolve of India and Israel in combating terrorism. A joint statement issued after talks between Modi and Netanyahu said the two leaders called for “decisive and concerted international efforts” to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner. Later on Thursday Modi left for India.