ISRAEL - A KEY STRATEGIC PARTNER OF INDIA

The two countries share a number of common challenges, including terrorism, and cooperate closely on security matters. Israel is a major supplier of weapons, ammunition and battlefield technology to India and the two countries are working together to develop new technologies.

- LT GENERAL P.C. KATOCH

INDIA RECOGNISED ISRAEL ON SEPTEMBER 17, 1950 AND BOTH nations celebrated 30 years of 'full diplomatic relations' on January 30, 2022. However, India-Israel relations are centuries old.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Relations between ancient Israel and the Indian subcontinent were recorded in 10th century BCE, according to Chaim Menachem Rabin, Israeli professor of Hebrew and Semantic languages. Jews settled in Kochi-Kerala trace their origin to Israel of 10th century BCE. Jews migrated to India from Spain in the 15th and 16th centuries. Trade relations of both communities go back to 1,000 BCE and even earlier to Indus Valley Civilisation. In FY 2022-23, Indian merchandise exports to Israel was $7.89 billion and Israeli exports to India was $2.13 billion. In addition, bilateral trade in services stood at $1.1 billion in 2021.

GROWING DEFENCE AND SECURITY COOPERATION