‘Unfortunately, India And Israel Still Don't Know Each Other Enough'

The relation between India and Israel rests on three strong pillars— economics, defence and agriculture. Indian PM Narendra Modi became the first PM in 70 years to visit Israel. A lot has been said and written about the future prospects of ties in every sector between the two countries

- Taniya Tikoo

IN AN EXCLUSIVE interview to Taniya Tikoo, Daniel Carmon, Israel’s Ambassador to India, speaks about the bilateral relationship of the two countries in the areas of defence, cyber security, and agriculture. Edited excerpts:

Indo-Israel trade has dropped to $4 billion this year from about $5 billion in 2012. The figures are low compared to your trade ties with the West. What do you think is the reason behind it?

I wouldn’t look at it that way, I think what India and Israel are doing now is looking at possibilities of bigger exchange of trade. One year does not signify a trend.

After the recent visit by the Indian PM, can we expect some big partnership in the fields of defence, or cyber security?

There is a process going on for many years in which many Israeli, Indian companies are looking and exploring the possibilities to do more business together and there is quite a lot of business being done. Even to the extent of Indian companies acquiring Israeli companies.