India and Israel in “strategic alliance”

India and Israel have elevated their ties to the “strategic partnership” level with the aim to do “much more together” to combat growing radicalisation and terrorism and have pitched for “strong measures” against those financing and providing sanctuaries to terror groups. The issue of terror and “strategic threats” along with various other topics like cooperation in defence and security, water, agriculture, space figured prominently in the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured meeting on the former’s arrival at Tel Aviv).

Following the wide-ranging talks, the two sides signed seven pacts covering areas including innovation, water conservation, agriculture and space. India and Israel also agreed to set up a $40 million fund for industrial Research and Development, and an innovation fund, with both countries contributing $20 million each.