A Vigorous Bilateral Relationship

 RANJIT KUMAR

ON THE STRONG PILLAR of India-Israel defence ties, the two strategic partners are set to play a bigger role in the Arab World. Buoyed by becoming a part of four nation West Asian alliance

I2U2 (India, Israel, USA, United Arab Emirates), the Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen made a fruitful day long trip to India on May 9, 2023. With Israel getting recognition from the Arab kingdoms, the Jewish country is set to mark its presence in the area. As India has already made deep inroads in the Arab world, the two countries can join hands not only for promoting mutual interests, but for the benefit of Arab world also. These were one of the issues that Israeli Foreign Minis- ter Cohen discussed with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. Besides, Eli Cohen also met the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during which Rajnath Singh asked Eli Cohen to look India as an investment destination in the defence industry and set up joint ventures in the defence sector with Indian companies and sell the product not only to Indian Armed Forces but in the world arms market also.

During these interactions, the Israeli Foreign Minister indicated that his country would be willing to set up defence weapon systems companies in India in joint venture with Indian firms. India, Israel defence ties, which was till now simply having a buyer seller relations, would now develop into a more deeper alliance, with Israeli firms being encouraged by the Israeli govern- ment to set up joint ventures with Indian private or public sector companies. This will give a huge boost to Indian and Israeli defence cooperation and prove the point that Israel is India’s true defence partner, a relationship which is based on mutual trust. The relations will touch newer heights and pose a challenge to other rival nations having own defence production facilities. Israeli defence companies are already assisting India in the area of cutting edge technologies like Falcon Radar for the Indian anti-missile systems, AWACS development programme, Barak naval missiles, combat drones etc. This new dimension to bilateral defence relations will give an economic relevance to bilateral strategic ties with private and public sector companies collaborating together for setting up Israeli production facilities in India.