Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed India’s Ambassador to Israel, J.P. Singh, for a high-level meeting aimed at enhancing the ever-growing India-Israel Strategic Partnership. The discussions centered on expanding cooperation in key sectors such as security and economics, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to advancing shared goals based on mutual values and interests.
Netanyahu shared details of the meeting on X, stating that they had explored opportunities to deepen collaboration, particularly in defense and trade. The Israeli leader also engaged with senior Indian journalists, answering questions on a range of bilateral and regional issues.
The Indian Embassy in Israel reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed the importance of further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. Ambassador Singh, in turn, conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pledged to continue steering the relationship on a positive and upward path.
This meeting comes shortly after Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh hosted Amir Baram, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Defence, in New Delhi. During that dialogue, both sides committed to bolstering defense cooperation with a long-term perspective. They agreed to establish a formal institutional framework to guide future military and strategic engagements.
Amir Baram strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and expressed Israel’s unwavering support for India’s fight against terrorism. Defence Secretary Singh reciprocated by denouncing the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel, calling for the immediate release of all hostages, and reiterating India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.
Both nations reviewed the progress of ongoing defense collaborations since their last Joint Working Group meeting in July 2024 in India. The visit by Israel’s Defense Director General was described as a pivotal moment, solidifying the growing depth of cooperation and mutual trust in the defense domain.
The recent engagements highlight the sustained momentum in India-Israel relations, with leaders on both sides keen to translate strategic intent into practical outcomes. By focusing on security, economic collaboration, and shared geopolitical interests, New Delhi and Tel Aviv continue to strengthen a partnership that has become an important pillar in their respective foreign policies.
