It is said that a true friend is known in times of disaster. This idea is not limited to cable personal subjects Dotilia Agnihotri. This principle also applies in the policy of giving; there are friends and enemies in that too. The country that supports in the time of challenge is the true friend. According to this, Israel, Russia etc. are true friends of India; they have always openly supported India in times of crisis. India was earlier hesitant to increase cooperation with Israel. The equations of the Middle East hindered progress in this direction. Narendra Modi removed this hesitation. He gave priority to the interest of India. Accordingly, the foreign policy was decided.

In this, the policy of improving relations with the Muslim countries of the Middle East as well as Israel was implemented. Just a controversial statement was unnecessarily highlighted. More than a dozen Muslim countries have made no effort to know its reality. He issued a statement in opposition to India. Even before this, such countries have been supporting Pakistan in opposition to India. While Israel has been openly supporting India, in the last few days, the Defense Minister of Israel and its ambassador had visited Lucknow.

The relations between the two countries have been further strengthened by these visits, it was agreed to increase mutual cooperation at the national level. Along with this, Israel will expand cooperation to the remote areas of Uttar Pradesh. A few days ago, Israel’s Defense Minister Benjamin Sentz arrived in India and held talks with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, in which key issues related to defense cooperation, global and regional scenario were discussed.

 There has been a comprehensive agreement between the two countries to strengthen bilateral strategic and defense cooperation. Rajnath Singh said that we attach great importance to our strategic partnership with Israel. Both the countries have adopted a vision statement which will pave the way for future defense cooperation. There is a broad agreement between the two countries to further strengthen bilateral strategic and defense cooperation.

The Israeli Defense Minister also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Israeli Minister Santz was accompanied by Chief of Staff Mayan Israeli, Head of the Directorate of International Defense Cooperation Brigadier General Yair Koulasso, Director of Policy and POL-MIL Bureau Dor Shalom and Military Secretary BG Yaki Dolph visited India. During the visit the two sides signed an agreement marking thirty years of diplomatic and defense ties between Israel and India. The two countries are celebrating thirty years of establishment of diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile, India and Israel have increased defense ties. Three Indian naval ships of the Western Fleet visited the port at IIFA five years ago as part of regular goodwill visits by Indian ships. After this Naval Training Ship INS Tarangini also visited Haifa. Multilateral Air Force exercise ‘Blue Flag’ was held in Israel last year in which India also participated.

The Defense Research and Development Organization of India and the Directorate of Defense Research and Development of Israel had signed a bilateral innovation agreement. Last year India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar visited Israel in October, then Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane in November and Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria in August. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited Israel, upgrading ties to a strategic partnership.

After this, the then Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu came on a visit to India. Bilateral relations between India and Israel are getting stronger. The two countries have had strong diplomatic relations for over thirty years. During his visit to Israel in the year 2017, Narendra Modi had discussed various issues of cooperation between the two countries.

A courtesy call on Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath by an Israeli government delegation led by Israel’s Ambassador Naor Gilone in Lucknow. Discussions were held on this occasion to further strengthen the relations between Israel and India, especially Uttar Pradesh. India-Israel relations have touched new heights in the past years. The Chief Minister said that with the cooperation of Israel, two centers of excellence established in Basti and Kannauj districts of the state are achieving success in their objectives. The scheme has established a new center of excellence in the field of horticulture and vegetable production.

In this work also, the state government will get necessary support from Israel. The Defense Industrial Corridor being established in Uttar Pradesh is providing investment opportunities to Israeli entrepreneurs. Adequate natural resources and skilled human resources are available in the state. The State Government is providing all necessary facilities and incentives to the companies desirous of investing in the field of defense production.

This is a good platform for Israeli establishments. Israel has ample experience with regard to drones and anti-drone technology. Should be considered for investment in the Uttar Pradesh Defense Industrial Corridor. The state government is working on a plan to modernize its police force. Israel can help us in this work. Israel can also be a good ally in the strengthening of forensic science laboratories. Along with agriculture, there is immense potential for development in the food processing sector in the state. Israel can provide its participation in this area.

The Medical Device Park is being developed by the State Government in the Yamuna Expressway Authority area of NCR. Israeli companies are invited to invest in it. In Bundelkhand, a new project is proposed in the field of irrigation and drinking water with the technical cooperation of Israel. Its feasibility report is out. The detailed project report will be ready soon. This project will be useful for the farmers of Bundelkhand region to get the crop for twelve months. Har Ghar Nal Yojana will be successful in its objective.

Israel and India are working together in new areas. The work being done by the Government of Israel in the field of agriculture, irrigation, drinking water and water conservation in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh will be carried forward. Technology transfer will also be done in defense production, police modernization and development of industries. The Government of Israel and the Government of Uttar Pradesh will speed up these works by forming a joint group. Israel Police in the near future

Will support Uttar Pradesh in the field of modernization, agricultural modernization, better use of water to farmers, availability of drinking water in Bundelkhand and defense production.

-OJAANK SHUKLA

( DIRECTOR – OJAANK IAS )