Israel attaches huge importance to Modi’s visit: Carmon -Governance Now

Israel attaches huge importance to Modi’s visit: Carmon

Modi to be first Indian prime minister to visit Israel

Shankar Kumar | June 22, 2017 | New Delhi

#Daniel Carmon #Make in India #defence production #Tel Aviv #Jerusalem #Israel #Narendra Modi #Palestine #Reuven Rivlin

Photo: Arun Kumar/Governance Now

Prime minister Narendra Modi’s July 5-6 visit to Israel will be of “huge importance”, stressed Israeli ambassador Daniel Carmon who added that his country is ready to offer New Delhi whatever it requires for joint defence production under the Make in India initiative.

“We can’t explain in words how much important would be Modi’s visit. We attach huge importance to it,” Carmon said at an interaction organised by Ananta Aspen Centre here on Wednesday. Departing from the past trend when Israeli authorities welcomed foreign dignitaries in Tel Aviv, Modi would be welcomed in Jerusalem, Israel’s new capital that several countries, including Palestine, have not yet recognized.

The Israeli diplomat, however, refused to answer a question about his country’s stand on India’s narrative that Pakistan is an epicentre of terrorism in the region. But he admitted that after signing a pact on homeland security in February 2014, “there has been increased cooperation between the two countries on the security front”.

Read an interview with the envoy: India, Israel can create “more magic”

On defence cooperation and the possible signing of agreement for the purchase of defence equipment, Carmon said that Israel, which is the third largest source of defence equipment to India, “is ready to offer New Delhi whatever it requires (for joint production) under make in India initiative”. He also said that Israel and India are currently engaged in several defence related projects.

In the last week of February, the Modi government had cleared the acquisition of a million dollar worth of medium range surface to air defence missile (MR-SAM), jointly developed by India’s Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israeli aircraft industry.

When Israeli president Reuven Rivlin visited India last year, the two countries signed agreement for the purchase of two more Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AWACS). India has already acquired three Phalcon AWACS from Israel and they are mounted on Russian built IL-76 aircraft. India had also signed the deal for 10 Heron TP unmanned air vehicles.

According to MEA sources, the two sides are expected to clinch a deal for the purchase of radar-equipped aerostats, which are essentially balloon mounted, for low-level air and sea surveillance during Modi’s visit. Under ‘Make in India’ initiative, Israel is interested to develop Barak ship-busting missiles, Heron TP unmanned air vehicles, advanced equipment-detection radars and some aircraft-fired missiles

The two countries may also sign MoUs on space, cyber security, agriculture, education, water management and tourism during Modi’s visit.

The Israeli ambassador, however, didn’t shed light on whether Modi would address Knesset during his forthcoming visit.

There is also a buzz in South Block about the possible signing of a long-pending Free Trade Agreement between the two nations during Modi’s two-day visit.

Comments

Other News

75 visitors from abroad watch world’s largest elections unfold

As a beacon of electoral integrity and transparency, the Election Commission of India (ECI) exemplifies its commitment to conduct general elections of the highest standards, offering a golden bridge for global Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to witness democratic excellence first-hand. It continues foste

‘Oral cancer deaths in India cause productivity loss of 0.18% GDP’

A first-of-its-kind study on the economic loss due to premature death from oral cancer in India by the Tata Memorial Centre has found that this form of cancer has a premature mortality rate of 75.6% (34 premature events / 45 total events) resulting in productivity loss of approximately $5.6 billion in 2022

Days of Reading: Upendra Baxi recalls works that shaped his youth

Of Law and Life Upendra Baxi in Conversation with Arvind Narrain, Lawrence Liang, Sitharamam Kakarala, and Sruti Chaganti Orient BlackSwan, Rs 2,310

Voting by tribal communities blossoms as ECI’s efforts bear fruit

The efforts made by the Election Commission of India (ECI), over last two years, for inclusion of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) communities and other tribal groups in the electoral process have borne fruit with scenes of tribal groups in various states/UTs participating enthusiastically in t

GST revenue for April 2024 at a new high

The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections hit a record high in April 2024 at ₹2.10 lakh crore. This represents a significant 12.4% year-on-year growth, driven by a strong increase in domestic transactions (up 13.4%) and imports (up 8.3%). After accounting for refunds, the net GST