Israel proving to be India’s technological partner, says diplomat

Kolkata, March 22 (IANS) Israel is proving to be India's tried and tested technological partner, a diplomat from the West Asian country said here on Wednesday.

"The way two countries have strengthened their relations, Israel is proving to be India's tried and tested technological partner. Our partnership is maturing fast," said Ditza Froim, Minister Counsellor in the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi.

According to the diplomat, after having a growing relationship in agriculture and defence sector between the two countries, Israel is keen to build relations in the academic field with India so that the partnership becomes more "sustainable".

The two countries complete 25 years of formal diplomatic relationship this year, having established full diplomatic relations only in 1992 after almost 45 years of attaining statehood.

"Partnership between the two countries has been maturing fast. Building academic relation is high on agenda," Froim said at a panel discussion on India-Israel Relations, organised jointly by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies and Institute of Social and Cultural Studies.

Speaking about the shift in bilateral relations, Professor P.R. Kumaraswamy from Centre for West Asian Studies School of International Studies, JNU said India is currently trying to locate Israel and other regional players in the Middle East within the context of its pursuit for economic growth and development.

"By offering a huge market, India provides an opportunity to Israel to scale up its Research and Development programme and thereby to reduce the cost of their operation," he said.

According to a statement, India is close to signing a $3-billion defence deal with Israel during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to the West Asian country.

(This story has not been edited by Social News XYZ staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)