Israeli Defence Officials’ India Visit to Boost Strategic Ties: IMOD

Jerusalem: The ongoing visit to India by a delegation of top Israeli defence officials will further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries, the Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMOD) said on Monday.

The visit also reflects Israel's focus on expanding cooperation with key nations in the region, the ministry said in a statement.

Director General of Israel's Ministry of Defence (IMOD) Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram, who is in India, held a series of high-level meetings with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and other senior officials of the defence ministry.

During these meetings, both sides discussed avenues for deepening bilateral defence and industrial cooperation, the IMOD said in a statement.

"This visit reflects the Defence Minister and the Ministry's strategy to expand defence exports as a tool for strengthening the IDF's (Israel Defence Forces) force build-up, shaping foreign policy, and bolstering the Israeli defence industry and economy," the statement read.

"It is part of a broader effort to widen Israel's circle of strategic partnerships with an eastward focus and deepen cooperation with key nations in the region," it added.

Describing India as 'a key strategic partner', Baram said that this important visit is a "result of a lengthy bilateral preparation process" and "reflects the great importance that India and Israel attach to expanding their growing defence and industrial alliance - but no less so, the depth of the bond between our two nations".

"A bond rooted in shared values, deep cultural appreciation, and mutual trust that goes well beyond mere interests. That is what makes this partnership unique, and the joint projects we are advancing together all the more meaningful," the top defence official was quoted as saying in the statement.

India and Israel signed an MoU in February this year, just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel, identifying a wide range of areas of cooperation that will benefit both countries.

Security sources told PTI that the identified areas included joint planning, training, defence industrial cooperation, and capabilities including science and technology, research and development and technological innovation, artificial intelligence and cyber security cooperation.

"It will enable sharing of advanced technology and would help promote co-development and co-production," they said.