Strengthening Ties: Israel and India Discuss Security Cooperation
Israel's Foreign Minister Meets India's National Security Advisor
New Delhi, Nov 4: On Tuesday, Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s Foreign Minister, engaged in discussions with Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, in New Delhi. Their conversation centered around enhancing collaboration and addressing shared security threats, particularly the issue of terrorism.
Post-meeting, Sa’ar expressed his gratitude on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “It was an honor to meet with NSA Ajit Doval in New Delhi. We explored avenues for cooperation to tackle our common challenges, especially the threat posed by terrorism. We are committed to establishing a long-term strategic partnership between Israel and India!”
Earlier that day, Sa’ar also met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where they discussed the strategic partnership between their nations, recent developments in the Middle East, and the Gaza Peace Plan.
Following this meeting, Sa’ar thanked Jaishankar for his hospitality on X, saying, “I appreciate the warm welcome from External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi. Our discussions on bilateral relations and the shared threat of terrorism were very productive. I emphasized that dismantling the Hamas terror state is crucial to the Trump Plan, and we will not waver on this.”
He further stated, “Israel is a significant regional power and a vibrant democracy. India stands as a global superpower, being the largest democracy and the fastest-growing economy. Our aim is to forge a long-term strategic partnership between our countries, and we will achieve this.”
Jaishankar described their meeting as “excellent” and “productive,” noting ongoing efforts to bolster cooperation across various sectors.
“Today, I had an excellent meeting with FM Gideon Sa’ar of Israel in New Delhi. We had fruitful discussions on enhancing our Strategic Partnership in multiple areas. We reaffirmed our zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms. I appreciate FM Sa’ar sharing insights on regional developments, the Gaza Peace Plan, and the pursuit of a sustainable solution. We also discussed collaboration in multilateral forums and witnessed the signing of an MoU on Training between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Jaishankar mentioned.
During his talks with Jaishankar, Sa’ar highlighted that radical terrorism poses a common threat to both nations and condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which occurred on April 22.
“Radical terrorism is a shared concern for Israel and India. We strongly denounce the horrific attack in Pahalgam. In the Middle East, Israel confronts a unique challenge, which I refer to as terror states. The radical terror entities of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen have established themselves over the years. Their removal is essential for the security and stability of our region. The elimination of the Hamas terror state is central to President Trump’s plan. Hamas must be disarmed, Gaza must be demilitarized, and we will not compromise on this,” he asserted.
Sa’ar’s visit highlights the increasing strategic alignment between India and Israel regarding regional and global security issues, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and a dedication to long-term defense and intelligence collaboration.