New Delhi
7 May 2008
Ambassador of Israel to India
The bilateral relations of India and Israel encompass all aspects of human endeavour.
India and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1992 but in a short span of 16 years,
the bilateral relations have grown manifold.
Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement. Israeli investment in India is growing steadily and there
is a spurt in Israeli investment in real estate and agriculture sectors of the Indian
economy. For example, about nine lakh saplings of olive have been delivered to India.
We are intensifying cooperation in drip irrigation, too. Recently Israel executed its
biggest agriculture development initiative anywhere in the world, in India, which entails
tens of millions of dollars worth of cooperative projects in waster-water management,
horticulture, etc. With food prices rising, India and Israel can do a lot together. The
relationship is blooming in high technology, too. Defence relationship is burgeoning. In
short, the rapid growth of bilateral ties in a short span of 16 years is mind-boggling.
There is enormous goodwill for Israel in India. Similarly, there is a lot of awe for Indian
culture and society within Israel. The people-to-people ties are underpinning all aspects
of the bilateral relationship. It is difficult to find another relationship which has grown
from so little to so much in 16 years. The Israeli Embassy in India is the largest in Asia
and one of the largest in the world, so you can imagine the importance we attach to our
ties with India.
There is a feeling of great activity in the air and it remains to be seen where we go from
here, with the adrenaline running on both sides. We are happy with our bilateral
relationship with India. It augurs well for the future. India, which recently celebrated its
60th anniversary, and Israel, are two great civilisations with shared values.
Sky is the limit for the India-Israel bilateral relationship and we hope to bring this
relationship to fruition in all fields, with a smile on our faces. There is enthusiasm in our
relationship. The enthusiasm comes strongly from the Indian side and it is extremely
vibrant from our side.
This is an exciting time for Israel and the world. Israel at 60 is the envy of many peoples
and nations. Israel is economically growing at over five per cent for the past few years.
Israel's population is 7.3 million and per capita income in Israel is over 22,000 dollars,
much above the average west European standards. Israel is a democracy and its society
is based on human values. Israel enjoys the freedoms of press and judiciary, among
others, and there is an open and dynamic public debate.
Despite the trials and tribulations of the conflict in West Asia, Israel has become a
country that is the envy of many. Israelis are proud of their economic growth,
technological prowess, and culture.
The West Asian conflict is one of the major problems confronting Israel. Israelis forever
remain hopeful of resolution of the conflict. Their hope is based on reality, not wishful
thinking. We hope in the near future we can reach a final settlement with the people of
Palestine. Prime Minister of Israel Mr Ehud Olmert and President of Palestine Mahmoud
Abbas recently met for negotiations and we are hopeful that indeed things will move
forward for the peoples of Israel and Palestine.
There are extremists within the Palestinian camp, like Islamic Jihad and Hamas, which
are sworn enemies of Israel. They undermine any hope of the people of Israel achieving
a true accommodation with the people of Palestine. We in Israel believe there can be no
military solution of the conflict. The Iranian leadership is ruining the chances of
resolving the conflict by aiding and abetting Islamic Jihad and Hamas. The Iranian
leadership is openly talking of wiping Israel off the map, it is denying Holocaust, and it is
not raising any hope of peace. It is a very sad commentary on the great civilisation of
Iran, which has given so much to mankind but we will overcome the hardliners.
The people of Israel and Palestine hope to live side by side, in a Jewish state and a
Palestinian state, in harmony and peace. As we enter the 60th year, we believe peace is
viable and doable. There is a goodwill in Israel for the people of Palestine. I hope they
follow the pragmatic and forward looking leadership of Mahmoud Abbas and shy away
from hatred and violence of extremists.
(As told to Ramesh Ramachandran)
// India - Israel relations //
On September 17, 1950, India announced recognition of Israel. Ben Gurion, Israel's firstprime Minister, held Mahatma Gandhi in high esteem. Soon after India's recognition of
Israel, the Jewish Agency established an immigration office in Bombay. This was soon
converted into a Trade Office and later a Consulate. Sporadic governmental contacts
continued between India and Israel in the fifties and early sixties, including visits by
former Minister Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Israeli Ministers like Yigal Allon, Moshe
Sharett and Gideon Rafael. Following decision to establish diplomatic relations, Israel
opened its Embassy in Delhi in February 1992 and India opened its Embassy in Tel Aviv
on 15 May 1992. Since then relations have seen rapid growth across a broad spectrum.
(Source: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India)
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