India to celebrate 25-yr relationship with Israel today

In a clear message to the world on the importance of Israel as a strategic partner, India will celebrate 25 years of diplomatic ties with the Jewish State on Tuesday, with the release of a logo by the ministry of external affairs (MEA) in the presence of the Israeli ambassador. This comes ahead of a likely visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel later this year. In the past 13 years, India has acquired sophisticated Israeli defence weaponry and platforms worth billions of dollars.

In November last year, the two countries had decided to “broad-base” their already close defence partnership and had agreed to intensify cooperation in combating radicalism and extremism during the visit then of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. The two sides had also resolved to deepen their overall engagement, including in key areas of

In November last year, the two countries had decided to ‘broadbase’ their already close defence partnership and had agreed to intensify cooperation in combating radicalism and extremism

trade and investment, agriculture, water resources, education and research.

Just recently, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to Pakistan followed by a scheduled visit to Bangladesh had triggered speculation on why he did not visit New Delhi, but India had then expressed confidence that President Abbas would visit New Delhi too sometime this year. Speculation is rife whether Palestine is miffed with India’s close ties with Israel during the current tenure of the Modi government.