India-Israel Ties Scale New Heights: PM Modi’s Historic Visit Elevates Partnership to ‘Special Strategic’ Level
Article by Dr Biplab Rath
In a significant visit that has changed the political landscape of West Asia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his two-day state visit to Israel, which took place from February 25 to February 26. This important visit truly upgraded the relationship between India and Israel to what is now called a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation, and Prosperity. ” During this visit, there were many important discussions about defence and a level of friendship that has never been seen before. This shows the growing cooperation between Israel, often called the “Start-up Nation” because of its many technological advancements, and India, known as the “Digital India” powerhouse for its achievements in the digital world. As both countries look for ways to work together, this partnership holds great promise.
It aims to boost innovation and economic development, which could lead to a better future for everyone in the region. By joining forces, India and Israel can share their knowledge, technology, and resources to tackle common challenges and seize new opportunities. This collaboration can help create jobs, improve education, and enhance the quality of life for people in both countries. Overall, this visit marks a new chapter in the relationship between India and Israel, one that focuses on peace, growth, and shared goals for a prosperous future.
A Historic Address to the Knesset
A historic moment took place when Prime Minister Modi gave a speech to the Knesset, which is Israel’s parliament. This was a big deal because he became the very first Indian Prime Minister to speak there The room was packed with lawmakers and important guests, and when he finished his speech, the audience gave him a warm standing ovation. This showed how strong the friendship is between India and Israel.
In his speech, Modi talked about the important values that both countries share. He mentioned democracy, which means that people have a say in how their country is run, and resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from tough times.
He also talked about mutual respect, which is about honouring and valuing each other’s differences. These values are what bring India and Israel together as strong allies.
PM Modi’s words really connected with the people in the audience. He highlighted how important it is for both countries to work together in many different areas. For example, he mentioned technology, which includes things like computers and smartphones that help improve lives. He also talked about agriculture, which is about farming and producing food, and defence, which focuses on keeping the country safe. His message emphasised the need for collaboration in these important fields to help both nations grow and prosper.
In addition to his impactful speech, Prime Minister Modi received a special honour. He was awarded the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal,” which is a prestigious recognition. This award acknowledges his essential role in making the relationship between India and Israel even stronger. Overall, Modi’s visit and speech were significant steps towards deepening the friendship between the two countries.
Defence and Tech: Beyond Buyer-Seller
A key part of the visit was to strengthen the security relationship between the two countries. Both countries decided to go beyond just buying military equipment from each other. Instead, they agreed to work together to develop and produce new and advanced military technology. This means they will join forces to create better weapons and defence systems that can help protect them both. During their talks, they also discussed specific projects, including the Iron Beam laser-based defence system. This system uses powerful lasers to intercept and destroy incoming threats, like missiles or drones.
They believe that working together on this technology will make both nations safer. In addition to the Iron Beam system, they talked about improving their cybersecurity measures. Cybersecurity is essential to protect important information and infrastructure, such as power grids, transportation systems, and communication networks. By collaborating on cybersecurity, they aim to defend against attacks that could harm their countries. Overall, the visit focused on building strong security ties that will benefit both nations in the future.
Economic and Labour Mobility
In the world of technology and finance, an important new development has taken place. India’s UPI, which stands for Unified Payments Interface, has been successfully connected with the payment systems in Israel. This connection is a big deal because it will change how financial technology, or fintech, works between the two countries. This new link will make it much easier for people travelling between India and Israel to make payments without any hassle. Tourists will find it simple to pay for things like hotels, food, and shopping. At the same time, businesses in both countries will benefit because they can conduct transactions smoothly across borders.
Additionally, this agreement is not just about payments. It also aims to help meet Israel’s need for workers in certain fields. To strengthen the presence of Indian workers in the global job market, both countries have agreed to support the movement of 50,000 more Indian workers to Israel. These workers will mainly fill roles in manufacturing and caregiving sectors, which are very important for the economy. Over the next five years, this initiative will not only help Israel address its labour shortages but also create job opportunities for many Indians. This partnership is a win-win situation for both nations, promoting cooperation and growth in various sectors.
Personal Diplomacy
The visit was marked by several special moments that underscored the friendship and connection between the leaders. One highlight was when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warmly welcomed his “friend” by donning a traditional Indian Nehru jacket during their private dinner. This distinctive jacket, recognised for its unique style, is often intimately associated with Indian culture. By choosing to wear this outfit, Netanyahu demonstrated his deep respect and appreciation for his friend’s background and heritage. This gesture transcended mere clothing; it was perceived by many as a significant sign of the strong personal relationship between the two leaders. Their bond goes beyond politics and embodies a genuine friendship, which is vital for fostering trust and collaboration between their countries. Such moments of personal connection are crucial, as they can help leaders navigate complexities more effectively, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and stronger ties between their nations in the long run.
Strategic Context and Way Forward
The trip was more than a standalone visit, which means it was a special visit that did not include any meetings or discussions with the Palestinian leadership. This shows India’s approach of dehyphenation. Dehyphenation is a policy where India does not link or connect its relationship with one country to its relationship with another.
In this case, India is working to build its own strong ties with Israel without feeling the need to also focus on or engage with the Palestinian leadership at the same time. This approach allows India to develop its own foreign policy based on its interests, rather than being influenced by conflicts or issues between different countries.
By taking this standalone visit, India is signalling that it values its relationship with Israel, and it wants to strengthen that bond independently. This method can help India create more opportunities for cooperation and partnership with Israel in various areas like trade, technology, and security. Overall, the visit shows India’s intent to pursue its foreign relations based on its own goals and priorities, rather than being caught up in the complex dynamics of the region.
Prime Minister Modi has once again shown India’s strong support for the peace efforts in Gaza. He emphasised that it is very important for all of us to remember that “humanity must never become a victim of conflict. “This means that people should not suffer because of wars or violence. Everyone deserves to live in peace and safety, no matter where they are in the world. During his statement, PM Modi also spoke out against the terrible attacks that took place on October 7.
He condemned these acts of violence, making it clear that such actions are unacceptable. It is crucial to stand against terrorism and any form of violence that harms innocent people. PM Modi’s message highlights India’s commitment to promoting peace and supporting efforts that aim to bring an end to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza. His words remind us that peace is essential and that we must work together to ensure that all lives are respected and protected. It is a call for unity and understanding, urging everyone to prioritise humanity over conflict. In a world where conflicts can easily arise, leaders like PM Modi play a vital role in encouraging dialogue and cooperation. By supporting peace initiatives, India is contributing to a larger goal of ensuring that people everywhere can live without fear and with hope for a better future.
As Prime Minister Modi leaves, it’s clear that the plan for the new phase of India-Israel relations, which we can call India-Israel 2.0, is set. This focuses on a few important areas. First, there is a strong emphasis on high-tech defence. Both countries are looking to work together to improve their military technology and ensure their safety.
Another key part of this partnership is food security. This is especially highlighted through a program called “Villages of Excellence. ” This program aims to improve farming and food production in rural areas. By helping villages become better at growing food, both India and Israel can ensure that their people have enough to eat and live healthy lives.
Finally, both nations share a vision for a stable Indo-Pacific region and a peaceful West Asian corridor. This means they want to work together to ensure these areas are safe and secure for all countries involved. Overall, the future looks promising for India and Israel as they move forward with these important goals.
Views expressed are those of the Author(s)
