Israel green lights next phase of strategic partnership with ‘huge friend’ India

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<strong>Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has called India a "huge friend" and reaffirmed the growing level of cooperation between the two nations.</strong></p>
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Bennett's comments came as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrapped up a fruitful four-day visit to Jerusalem.  <br />
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Jaishankar met Bennett at his office in Jerusalem on Wednesday with both sides discussing strengthening the strategic alliance, expanding bilateral ties and deepening the warm friendship between Israel and India.<br />
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"I speak on behalf of Israelis: We love India. We view India as a huge friend and we're looking forward to expanding our relationship in all fields and all dimensions," said the Israeli PM.  <br />
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He also thanked the EAM and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their personal commitment to the partnership between Israel and India.<br />
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Jaishankar said that the two had "warm and rich discussion" on realizing the full potential of India-Israel strategic partnership with Bennett's "purposeful and focused approach" to it being deeply encouraging.<br />
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He also invited Bennett to make his first official visit to India.<br />
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"His sharing of his strategic perspectives was also very valuable. India and Israel will work even more closely to realize their partnership's vision for the next 30 years," tweeted Jaishankar after the meeting.<br />
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The minister also met Israel's President Isaac Herzog who praised the flourishing of the Israel-India relationship in a range of fields and emphasized his intention to personally assist in promoting and strengthening this important relationship.<br />
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The Israeli President's spokesperson said that, during the diplomatic meeting, Herzog and Jaishankar "further discussed global strategic affairs" and cement the bilateral partnership ahead of the 13th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both the countries next year.</p>
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On a busy last day of his trip, Jaishankar visited the site of the famous battle of Tabsor of Word War I at Raanana, saluting the valour of the Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice there.<br />
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While unveiling the memorial plaque for Indian Army soldiers who fought at the Battle of Tabsor in the Megiddo Offensive of September 1918, the minister said that this is "part of a larger India Trail" that will bring out the role of Indian soldiers in shaping the history of the region.</p>
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He also held meetings with Tel Aviv University senior leadership to expand the academic research and technology collaboration.<br />
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"Together our collaboration will drive the India-Israel partnership in the coming years," said Jaishankar.<br />
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The visit is expected to go a long way in elevating bilateral relations between the two countries.<br />
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As reported by IndiaNarrative.com earlier, India and Israel have decided to resume the Free Trade negotiations from next month, expressing full confidence that they will be wrapped up by June 2022.<br />
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Israel has also joined the India-led International Solar Alliance which aims to implement the Paris Climate Agreement through rapid and massive deployment of solar energy.<br />
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<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/israel-joins-india-led-solar-alliance-as-both-countries-set-to-resume-fta-talks-122149.html">Israel joins India-led Solar Alliance as both countries set to resume FTA talks</a><br />
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During the visit, Jaishankar had also joined United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Israeli Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a virtual huddle to discuss their "shared issues of concern" in the region and globally.    <br />
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<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/india-us-israel-and-uae-join-hands-to-tackle-rising-tide-of-radicalisation-122234.html">India, US, Israel and UAE join hands to tackle rising tide of radicalisation</a><br />
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The External Affairs Minister has also invited Israeli companies to invest in India, taking advantage of the expected post-Covid boom in the economy, which is already showing poitive signs of revival.<br />
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During the past few days, both sides have also held extensive discussions on the possibilities in innovation, digital, green growth, and health between the two economies.<br />
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<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/jaishankar-invites-israeli-companies-to-invest-in-india-s-post-covid-surge-122022.html">Jaishankar invites Israeli companies to invest in India's post-Covid surge</a><br />
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