‘Key strategic ally’: Top Israeli defence official hails India as ‘stable partner’; eyes R&D, joint manufacturing | India News
NEW DELHI: India is Israel’s key “strategic ally” and has remained “resilient through difficult times,” said Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram, director general of Israel’s ministry of defence on Thursday, a day after concluding his first official visit to New Delhi.Baram was in India from July 22 to 23, where he held high-level meetings with senior Indian officials, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The discussions focused on strengthening defence and strategic ties, with an emphasis on research and development collaboration and joint manufacturing initiatives.“India is a key strategic ally of Israel, and our partnership has proven resilient through difficult times. Recent operational achievements and common security challenges create an important window to expand our nations’ defence-industrial collaboration,” said Baram according to a statement from the Israeli defence ministry.“Baram shared insights on the strategic landscape in the Gulf region and presented operational successes from Operation Rising Lion, showcasing Israel’s advanced technological capabilities,” added the statement. Operation Rising Lion is Israel’s mission aimed at countering Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.The ministry of defence in a statement on Wednesday said that both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with a “long-term perspective” and “concurred to work towards developing an institutional framework for further deepening of defence ties.”The ministry of defence in a post on X on Wednesday said, “Defence Secretary Mr Rajesh Kumar Singh met Director General, Israeli Ministry of Defence Major General (Res) Amir Baram in New Delhi today. The two sides explored new avenues to further strengthen the #defencecooperation between the two countries and reiterated the commitment to enhance the strategic engagement.”They also reviewed the progress made since the last Joint Working Group meeting held in India in July 2024.Baram also met separately with Indian defence companies to explore new industrial collaborations.The statement by Israeli ministry added that Baram’s visit marks a “pivotal step in India-Israel defence relations and reinforces both sides’ commitment to enhance their strategic partnership.”
