• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Tuesday hailed India as “the world’s largest democracy and a global superpower,” during his official visit to New Delhi where he held wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, regional stability, and expanding future strategic partnerships.

Israel Calls India A Global Power

Praising India’s rapid economic rise and growing global influence, Sa’ar said, “India is the future. India i the fastest-growing economy, and Israel is a regional powerhouse. Together, we can build a long-term strategic partnership.”

He expessed gratitude for India’s solidarity during critical moments, recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s immediate call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the October 7 Hamas attacks. “We won’t forget that gesture,” Sa’ar said.

Addressing the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Israeli minister reiterated his country’s uncompromising stance on terrorism. “Hamas must be disarmed. Gaza must be demilitarised. We will not compromise on this,” he said.

Sa’ar also denounced what he called the “terror states” of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. “These radical groups are the real cause of instability in the region and must be uprooted for lasting peace,” he added.

Condemning the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Sa’ar said extremism remains a shared challenge for both nations. “Radical terror is a mutual threat to Israel and India,” he noted, underscoring the need for deeper intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism cooperation.

Reaffirming Israel’s support for regional development, Sa’ar highlighted the potential of initiatives such as the I2U2 grouping and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). “We support connectivity between South Asia, West Asia, and Europe. The future of regional cooperation looks very promising,” he remarked.

‘Relationship Built on Trust and Reliability’: Jaishankar

Welcoming his Israeli counterpart, Jaishankar said, “India and Israel have a strategic partnership that truly stands the test of time. We have created a relationship built on a high degree of trust and reliability.”

He emphasised that both nations face a “common challenge from terrorism” and called for a zero-tolerance approach towards it in all forms.

Touching on recent developments in West Asia, Jaishankar said India supports the Gaza Peace Plan and hopes it will lead to a lasting resolution. “We welcome the return of hostages and remain hopeful for peace in the region,” he said.

ALSO READ: India Steps Up As First Responder, Dispatches Food, Medicines After Deadly Afghanistan Earthquake

Jaishankar also highlighted the recently signed Bilateral Investment Agreement, describing it as an important step toward deeper economic engagement. “India’s growing capabilities in infrastructure, renewable energy, and health offer great potential for collaboration,” he added.

He pointed to the success of joint projects in agriculture, innovation, semiconductors, and cybersecurity, and invited Israeli participation in the AI Impact Summit scheduled to be held in India in February 2026.

ALSO READ: Jaishankar Meets Malaysia And South Korea Leaders; Discusses Trade, Defence And Tech At ASEAN Summit Sidelines

On the issue of Indian workers in Israel, Jaishankar noted that their welfare and rights are being addressed under mobility agreements between the two countries. Concluding the meeting, both ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across defence, technology, economy, and counter-terrorism, setting the tone for a new phase in India-Israel relations.

With inputs from agency .

Also In News