The visit comes as the two countries celebrate three decades of diplomatic relations, and the world witnesses the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the evolving new world order.
At the beginning of next month, Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett will come to India for meetings with his counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit is expected here on April 2, 2022 and comes as the two countries celebrate three decades of diplomatic ties, and the world witnesses the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the evolving new world order.
The announcement about the visit was made by the Prime Minister of that country.
India & Israel
Israel was recognized by India in September 1950; however, full diplomatic relations were established between the two on January 29, 1992. Diplomatic relations between the two have developed a multifaceted strategic partnership.
Israel’s ambassador to India, according to reports, said earlier this year that the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries is an opportunity to look ahead and shape relations over the next three decades.
A special logo has been released to mark three decades of diplomatic relations, featuring the Star of David and the Ashoka Chakra. And together it forms the numerical 30 – which symbolizes 30 years of bilateral relations.
In February, India’s iconic buildings – the Gateway of India in Mumbai and the Teen Murti Haifa Chowk in Delhi and Israel’s Masada Fort – were lit up with the flag colors of both countries.
Conversation Focus
The biggest issue on the agenda is expected to be the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As previously reported, the leaders of both India and Israel have reached out to the leaders of Russia and Ukraine and urged them to find solutions through diplomatic talks. The Indian Prime Minister has met three times with Russian President Vladimir Putin since the start of the conflict. And the Israeli Prime Minister had made a surprise visit to Moscow.
The two leaders are expected to discuss more topics such as agriculture, water management, joint development and production of military platforms.
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to that country in 2017, relations were upgraded to a ‘strategic partnership’. And this was followed by the then Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who came here in 2018.
There have been several high-level visits from India in 2021, including the visit of Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar in October, followed by Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane who went there in November 2021 and prior to these visits the former Air Chief RKS Bhadauria had also visited in August of the same year.
New QUAD
Another QUAD was formed in 2021 with Israel, India, the UAE and the US as member states and foreign ministers met and identified areas of interest and deeper cooperation, including maritime security, combating climate change, trade, cooperation on energy, science and technology and expanding economic cooperation in Asia and the Middle East.
Members of the new QUAD are already identifying future opportunities not only in the region, but also globally. As previously reported by Financial Express Online, India, UAE and Israel are already collaborating at a trilateral level on some projects, especially in the areas of trade and investment.
Both India and Israel have had an intimate relationship for a long time and have also played an important role in each other’s development journey.
Military cooperation between India and Israel
Last October, the Indian Armed Forces participated in the multilateral air force exercise ‘Blue Flag 2021’.
Free Trade Agreement
When the two leaders meet next month, they will also discuss progress made in the negotiations on the free trade agreement expected to be concluded this year.
India is the country’s third largest trading partner and also the seventh largest in the world.
The visit comes at a time when several top leaders from around the world are visiting India. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio’s visit has just concluded and ministers from other countries, including Oman, Mexico, Austria, the UK and Greece, are expected in New Delhi in the coming days.
Although not officially announced, dates for Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit are being worked out and will most likely take place later this month.
This post Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will reach India early next month
was original published at “https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/israeli-pm-naftali-bennett-to-reach-india-early-next-month/2466779/”
