Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, during his visit to India, hailed India as “the world’s largest democracy and a global superpower,” underscoring the growing strategic partnership between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. During his meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, the two leaders discussed strengthening cooperation in counterterrorism, trade, infrastructure, and connectivity.
Sa’ar praised India’s global leadership and recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s early show of solidarity with Israel. “We remember that Prime Minister Modi was the first world leader to call Prime Minister Netanyahu after Hamas’ October 7 massacre. We won’t forget it,” he said. He added that Israel values its friendship with India deeply, especially amid regional security challenges.
The discussions also touched on the implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), seen as a key project to enhance regional connectivity. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to a “zero tolerance” approach toward terrorism.
Jaishankar highlighted the enduring trust between the two nations. “We have stood together in testing times. Our partnership is built on reliability and mutual respect. Both countries face the scourge of terrorism and must continue to act decisively against it,” he said.
Sa’ar, who is on a three-day visit to India, reaffirmed Israel’s determination to dismantle Hamas’ militant infrastructure, calling it “a radical terror state.” Jaishankar also expressed hope that the US-brokered Gaza peace plan, which has led to a ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners and hostages, would pave the way for lasting peace in the region.
The ministers also agreed to fast-track bilateral engagements across multiple sectors, reflecting the growing strategic convergence between the two nations. As part of efforts to enhance connectivity and ease travel, Air India will soon increase the number of direct flights between India and Israel, a move expected to boost tourism, business exchanges, and cultural linkages. This step aligns with the broader goal of strengthening people-to-people ties and expanding economic cooperation. Both sides reiterated their commitment to fostering greater mobility, innovation partnerships, and collaboration in technology, agriculture, and defence: pillars that continue to define the India-Israel relationship.
