Delhi, Nov 05 (V7N) – Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has said that relations between Israel and India are now stronger than ever before, praising India as one of the world’s leading powers. In an exclusive interview with NDTV on November 4, he confirmed that Israel will send a high-level delegation to India’s upcoming Artificial Intelligence Conference and that both countries are preparing to sign a new memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation.
Sa’ar stated that Israel and India are advancing partnerships in defence, agriculture, and economic sectors, adding that both sides are committed to deepening cooperation through a strategic framework for intelligence and defence collaboration. He expressed gratitude to India for its immediate condemnation of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first world leader to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on that day.
Commenting on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Sa’ar said that the creation of a Palestinian state under current conditions would pose a threat to Israel’s security. He emphasized that Israel has learned from past mistakes and considers the Trump peace plan the only realistic path forward. Sa’ar reaffirmed Israel’s goal to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities and to replace its governance in Gaza, accusing Hamas of spreading fear among civilians through violence and intimidation.
Highlighting shared experiences in combating terrorism, Sa’ar said both India and Israel have faced extremist threats and now work closely together in intelligence, technology, and counterterrorism. He noted that Israel is ready to share its extensive experience in fighting terrorism with India.
Concluding the interview, the Israeli foreign minister said the personal rapport between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu is both open and strategic. He added that India represents the future while Israel stands as a regional power — together, they can achieve great things.
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