Describing its relationship with India as “unique and special”, Israel on Wednesday said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s upcoming two-day visit to Tel Aviv from January 17 is part of a “bigger picture” congruence of interests in areas of defence, counter-terrorism and trade, among others. India and Israel also share close relation in the fields of agriculture, science and technology and education …
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The External Affairs minister will look to strengthen ties with the key West Asian nations on January 17 and 18. However, Swaraj, just like Prime Minister Modi, will visit Palestine before her arrival in Israel.
He also referred to tests of Barak 8 missile, both in India and Israel, as shining example of joint ventures in the defence spehere.
“We attach great importance to this visit”, Carmon said at a media briefing here.
Numerous region’s countries, which publicly swear by the Palestinian cause, had indicated unhappiness when India abstained from a United Nations vote critical of Israel in July. “The visit will further deepen the mutual understanding at the political level and boost bilateral engagement with Palestine”, the release said. The reaction to India’s abstention forced a rethink over the public bonhomie Modi had demonstrated with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom the Indian leader called a “friend” on Twitter.
India is Israel’s largest buyer of military hardware.
This is the first visit of the external affairs minister to Israel and comes after the state visit of President Mukherjee to Tel Aviv in October. The MEA also said that the visit to Palestine “will also reaffirm India’s continued political, diplomatic and developmental support to Palestine”.
India is executing several projects in Palestine to improve the living conditions of people and has been active in capacity building by extending scholarships to Palestinian students and building schools.
Sushma Swaraj will inaugurate the Palestine Digital Learning and Innovation Centre in Ramallah.
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“The visit is an important ingredient in the ever-growing relations, friendship and partnership between the two countries”, said the embassy statement.
