Sunday, 29 January 2012
Israel and India celebrate 20 years of diplomatic relations
MFA 29 Jan 2012
Today, Israel and India share an intimately close and special relationship
encompassing virtually every field of human endeavor.
Israel and India celebrate today 20 years of diplomatic relations. In the
background of these young and dynamic relations stand the ancient ties
between the Jewish and Indian peoples, dating back over 2000 years. In the
course of history, Jewish communities throughout India received the warmest
hospitality and played an integral role in their surrounding societies.
Today, Israel and India share an intimately close and special relationship
encompassing virtually every field of human endeavor. From trade to
education, from agriculture to science and technology, from energy and water
to homeland security - Israel and India today work together in a vast
variety of fields, some of which are no less than existential to them both.
At the core of these multifaceted relations lie the values, the interests
and the challenges that Israel and India share. Both countries are open and
free democracies that embrace modernity and progress whilst preserving their
ancient heritage and history. Both countries strive to achieve stability,
human development and economic growth for the well-being of all their
citizens. Both countries also face a large number of threats and
difficulties ranging from the scourge of terrorism to water and energy
scarcity. It is these commonalities that make the connection and
collaboration between Israel and India so natural and fertile.
The remarkable development of bilateral trade in the past 20 years is an
unequivocal example of the vector of Indo-Israel ties. In 1992, the annual
trade between Israel and India stood at a mere $180 million. By 2011, the
annual civilian trade between the two countries, diversified and well
balanced, had expanded almost thirty fold to surpass $5 billion. Both
countries have expressed their intention to finalize a Free Trade Agreement
by the end of this year, a development which is expected to further
invigorate and diversify bilateral trade.
One of the key pillars of the relationship is the cooperation in the field
of agriculture. Food security is more than ever a critical concern for both
countries. In cooperation projects across India, Israeli technology and
knowhow is being demonstrated and shared with Indian farmers, and joint
Indian and Israeli agricultural R&D is conducted on the ground. The recently
finalized three-year action plan sets the path for the establishment of 27
projects across 7 States in India in various fields. This cooperation will
no doubt benefit the Indian farmer and consumer and is already playing a
significant role in India’s efforts to ensure food security to all its
citizens.
Both Israel and India have excelled in the research and development of
science and technology. At present, new platforms are being created for both
government and private sectors to jointly enhance scientific innovation in
crucial fields such as clean-tech and life sciences.
Unfortunately, Israel and India both suffer from the scourge of terrorism.
Both societies have shown remarkable resilience and determination to ensure
that life and freedom will prevail. The horrendous attacks in Mumbai in
November 2008, in which Indians and Israelis alike were targeted, only
strengthened the bond between the two nations and the understanding that
only through concerted efforts, can terrorism be defeated.
Last month, the Minister of External Affairs of India, Mr. SM Krishna,
conducted a historical visit to Israel and met with the Israeli leadership
in Jerusalem. During the visit, President Shimon Peres referred to India as
"the greatest democracy on earth." Prime Minister Netanyahu said that "India
and Israel are two ancient peoples seizing the future." Foreign Minister
Avigdor Liberman appreciated India's approval of the opening of an Israeli
Consulate General in Bangalore, a preeminent hub of high tech in India. This
will be Israel's third mission in India after New Delhi and Mumbai.
The 20th anniversary of relations between Israel and India will be marked
throughout the year, in Israel and in India, with an elaborate array of
cultural events. We stay committed to building upon the remarkable
achievements of the last two decades, to further develop this promising
relationship in the decades to come, for the benefit of both nations.
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