‘Israel ready to share expertise, tech with India’

During the meeting, Modi recalled his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2014. “He (Modi) expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation between India and Israel in various sectors,” a statement said.

Speaking at the annual R K Mishra memorial lecture at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Ya’alon said, “Our relations with India have become strong because of common values, interests and respect. Both countries have found ways to cooperate on security and defence behind the scenes. We were short of water and land so we made the desert bloom through innovation. This is one of the things we have offer to India. Israel is ready to share our technology & defence preparedness in government to government interactions. We are optimistic on implementing Modi’s vision and we’re hopeful that we can cement our partnership with India with him at the helm.”

Regarding Prime Minister’s “Make in India” initiative, Ya’alon said he was extremely impressed with the Indian pavilion at Aero India in Bangalore and was specially happy to witness actual examples of cooperation already happening between Indian and Israeli companies.
Ya’alon, the first Israeli defence minister to visit India since the two countries established full diplomatic relations in 1992, attended the “Aero India” show and held talks with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday. The visiting minister also held talks with Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

When asked about India’s role in the middle-east, he said, “Israel’s relationship with India is not against anyone. We aspire for peace…India might be a bridge between Israel and those countries hostile to State of Israel.”