BICOM

Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday in New Dehli. It was the highlight of the highest-ranking official visit by an Israeli official since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992.

The meeting marked another boost in Israeli-Indian bilateral relations which have increased since Modi was elected to power last May. In September, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Modi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss closer cooperation.

Ya’alon told Modi that his visit is “a historic and highly significant event, which forms an additional layer in the strengthening of ties between India and Israel, and particularly between their defence establishments.” At the same time, it was announced that Indian industrial giant Kalyani Group had agreed a deal with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems to develop and manufacture military hardware.

In October, India purchased an Israeli anti-tank missile system and the following month the two countries conducted a joint missile test. Ya’alon said yesterday that the “sky is the limit” when it comes to Israel-India cooperation and that, “We look forward to continuing to exchange data, transferring technologies, manufacturing in India, and joint work.” Trade between the two countries grew to around £4 billion in 2013.

Ya’alon further commented that, “Our relations with India have become strong because of common values, interests and respect.” He further indicated that bilateral relations would continue to increase, saying, “India is a very important country, and we are following with great appreciation the commitments and actions of Prime Minister Modi, who is leading India beyond the heights of growth.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed similar sentiments in November, when India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Israel. Netanyahu commented at the time, “Israel and India are at the cusp of a new era of increased cooperation in a wide variety of fields.”