The Indian Prime Minister said he was “deeply shocked” by the news of attacks in Israel.
Expressing solidarity with Israel over the rocket strikes launched by Hamas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India’s thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families.
This comes after a barrage of rockets slammed into southern and central Israel on Saturday morning after Hamas launched a surprise attack.
“Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour,” PM Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Naor Gilon, Israel’s Ambassador to India said that the “situation is not normal” but “Israel will prevail”.
“Thank you@PMOIndia. India’s moral support is much appreciated. Israel will prevail,” Israel envoy posted on X.
According to the latest developments, at least 22 people have been killed in the attack and over 300 people are wounded, with over 70 being seriously injured, The Times of Israel reported.
Following the attacks, the Indian Embassy in Israel on Saturday issued an advisory for its nationals, requesting them to remain vigilant and observe safety protocols.
“In view of the current situation in Israel, all Indian nationals in Israel are requested to remain vigilant, and observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities. Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary movement and stay close to safety shelters. For additional information, please see the Israeli Home Front Command website (https://www.oref.org.il/en or their preparedness brochure. In case of an emergency, please contact us at +97235226748, or leave a message a cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in. The Embassy personnel remain at your disposal for any further guidance,” the advisory read.
Naor Gilon, Israel’s Ambassador to India, appreciated the support of the people of India, adding “We stand firm in the face of terrorism.”
Hamas has also claimed to have kidnapped five IDF soldiers, however, IDF has not yet spoken on the report, according to The Times of Israel
Israel has already declared a state of war in the country after infiltration by Hamas fighters and missile attacks from Gaza.
The Israel Defence Forces launched Operation ‘Iron Swords’ in response to Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, the Times of Israel reported. IDF is striking Hamas targets in Gaza.
The Israeli military is fighting Hamas terrorists in different locations in Southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip, including the towns of Kfar Aza, Sderot, Sufa, Nahal Oz, Magen, Be’eri and the Re’im military base, The Times of Israel reported. (ANI)
Foreign Policyemphasizes India’s deepening and expanding relationships with key countries in the region, such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
An article in Foreign Policy, a prominent US magazine focused on global affairs, has highlighted India’s emergence as a “major player” in the Middle East, marking one of the region’s most intriguing geopolitical developments in recent years.
The piece emphasizes India’s deepening and expanding relationships with key countries in the region, such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This evolution reflects the changing international order and the eagerness of these nations to benefit from the new multipolarity.
The author, Steven A. Cook, argues that the United States has limited influence over this development but may paradoxically benefit from it. According to Cook, if the US partners in the Middle East seek an alternative to Washington’s dominance, it is preferable for New Delhi to be among their choices. This ensures that neither Russia nor China can assume the role of the undisputed regional power as long as India expands its presence in the Middle East.
The author recalls a visit to India around a decade ago, noting that at the time, Indians did not express a desire to play a larger role in the Middle East. However, in the past ten years, there has been a notable shift. While US officials and analysts closely scrutinize China’s diplomatic moves and view Chinese investments in the Middle East with suspicion, they have overlooked the emergence of India as a major player in the region, which Cook believes is a significant geopolitical development.
The article highlights the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen relations with India in the Gulf region. This shift is noteworthy because both countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, traditionally aligned with Pakistan. The pivot toward India is driven in part by a shared interest in containing Islamist extremism but is predominantly motivated by economic considerations. The article underscores the growing economic ties between India and these two countries.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi
Regarding India’s relationship with Israel, the article suggests it is the most well-developed among India’s regional ties. The bilateral relationship, especially in high-tech and defence sectors, has rapidly progressed since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Israel in 2017, followed by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu’s return visit a year later. While India’s business community previously hesitated to invest in Israel due to its small market and controversial politics, this perception is changing. Notably, the Adani Group and an Israeli partner won a $1.2 billion tender for Haifa Port in 2022, and negotiations for an India-Israel Free Trade Agreement are ongoing.
The article acknowledges the complexity of the India-Israel relationship, noting that India remains supportive of the Palestinians, maintains friendly ties with Iran (from which it purchases significant amounts of oil), and often views Israel through the lens of its own colonial experience.
Referring to Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Egypt, the article describes it as part of the ongoing Egyptian-Indian friendship, following Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s three visits to India since assuming power. Similar to China, India sees Egypt as a gateway for trade with Africa and Europe.
The author suggests that while it is tempting for US policymakers and analysts to view India’s growing role in the region within the context of great-power competition with China, India’s expanding presence could serve as an additional counterweight to Beijing in the Middle East. As the Biden administration shifts its approach from de-emphasizing the region to considering it as an area of opportunity to contain China, the article argues that India’s involvement can be helpful.
Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon. (Credit : @NaorGilon/twitter)
Israeli Ambassador Naor Gilon said relations between the two nations are very warm and efforts are being made by Tel Aviv on the flagship Make-in-India programme.
Israel’s Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon who completes a year in office said that the two countries share wonderful government-to-government relations.
Marking one year as his country’s envoy to India, Gilon said, “It was a very intensive year. I fell in love with India from the first moment I landed here. Never saw such wide popular support. There are wonderful government-to-government relations. It’s a great experience.”
“It was my first time ever to India. The popular appreciation, love and friendship towards Israel from India – diplomats and ambassadors never thought (will get such ) wide support – all in all, its a great experience,” he added.
Sharing his achievements and experience of living in India, Gilon said that he has overworked his staff to increase the bonhomie between the two nations, which recently celebrated 30 years of official diplomatic ties.
Israeli Ambassador Naor Gilon with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We have done so much in one year and am thinking that I have overworked my staff a little bit. We did here a lot of things around the 30 years of relations, starting with even lighting buildings, monuments in both countries and having special programmes – TV programmes about the relations,” said the Israeli envoy.
He also listed many projects conducted by the Israeli Embassy in the last one year.
“We did public diplomacy, women empowerment – we brought here women doctors for the underprivileged neighbourhood for treatment and awareness, we did programmes in IIT for women entrepreneurs, a fashion show with the local designers, and the models were diplomats, my wife and some of the girls who were beneficiaries of this assistance – we have murals in Connaught Place to remind us of three very special actresses – first women Bollywood actresses who were Baghdadi Jews from Mumbai. We are very proud of vast activities,” said Gilon.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his former Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu at the Olga Beach in Israel. (Photo Credit – Twitter/PM Modi)
In April this year, the Israeli Embassy had unveiled a street-art mural in New Delhi to mark 30 years of India-Israel friendship and to highlight the contributions of Indian-Jewish actors Nadira (Florence Ezekiel), Sulochana (Ruby Myers) and Pramila (Esther Victoria Abraham) who made a mark in the early years of Indian cinema.
Talking about agricultural cooperation between the two countries, Gilon said, “Also on the agricultural side, we are going to open soon the 30th Centre of Excellence in Agriculture and in the pipeline we have 12-13 more. We are doing a lot in the field of water, really the embassy is working. I have a good feeling when I look back at the first year.”
The programme aims to grow existing Centres of Excellence (CoE), establish new centres, increase CoE’s value chain, bring the Centres of Excellence into the self-sufficient mode, and encourage private sector companies and collaboration.
Though India officially recognised Israel in 1950, the two countries established full diplomatic ties only on 29th January 1992. As of December 2020, India was among 164 United Nations (UN) member states to have diplomatic ties with Israel.
Israeli Ambassador Naor Gilon planting the sapling of a sandalwood tree at Children’s Park, New Delhi.
Make-in-India plan
Underscoring the importance of India-Israel defence ties, ambassador Naor Gilon said that defence cooperation between the two sides is long and successful one and that Tel Aviv is very happy to be a strong partner in areas like UAVs, rockets, missiles and whatever defence system is needed by New Delhi.
Gilon said relations between the two nations are very warm and efforts are being made by Tel Aviv on the flagship Make-in-India programme.
“Defence cooperation is very long, very successful and very fruit full. For many years, even before our relations were as warm as they are today. Israeli companies are trying to adjust themselves to the programme of make-in-India. Meaning the biggest companies are starting joint ventures with very strong local players and together I think Israel can be a very strong player in the Make-in-India plan. We think it’s a smart plan,” he said on the question on India-Israel defence relations.
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Israeli ambassador stressed on being self-sufficient and added that no one will come to protect anyone today.
“If we learnt anything from what’s happening in Ukraine and other places is that countries have to be self-sufficient, and ready to stand and protect themselves. No one will come to protect anyone in the world today. This was our belief in Israel from the very first day. More and more countries are coming to this realization.”
The Israeli envoy stated that India’s bid for self-sufficiency is a smart move and Tel Aviv will be happy to help New Delhi in this endeavour.
“For India to be self-sufficient, as much as possible, in technology everything is a smart move. Israel is very happy to be a strong partner in UAVs, in rockets, missiles and whatever defence system is needed, we are happy to cooperate,” he said.
Lauding the incumbent government in India, ambassador Gilon said, “I have been a diplomat and ambassador in quite a few countries but never saw such a wide and popular support. And add to it wonderful government-to-government relations. Overall it has been a great experience.”
India-Israel-UAE-USA I2U2 Sherpas meeting held on margins of United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking on the I2U2, the envoy said, “A year ago, I2U2 was born. India, Israel, UAE and US are working together to improve the lives of everyone by building infrastructure. Two nice projects that are going to be here in India.”
“I think India gets a lot of points in the middle east because you are very strong, you have businessmen who are very dominant in the gulf countries, especially in UAE. You are the spearhead of the triangle that is created between UAE, India and Israel. I think that the potential there is huge,” he said. (ANI)
