Israel’s Ambassador Naor Gilon Talks About Strong India-Israel Relations
New Delhi, July 26: Israel’s Ambassador to India, Naor Gilon, has highlighted the strong and multifaceted relationship between Israel and India. He recalled the significant visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in 2017 and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India in 2018, describing them as ‘game changers’ for the bilateral ties.
Historic Visits
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel in July 2017 marked the first time an Indian PM visited the country. In January 2018, Netanyahu visited India for five days, where he was warmly received by PM Modi at the airport.
People-to-People Ties
Gilon emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections, noting that many Israelis visit India after their military service. He described this bond as a ‘secret ingredient’ in the strong relationship between the two nations.
Jewish Community in India
Gilon spoke about the long history of Jews living in India, mentioning that they have been part of the Indian community for 2,500 years. He highlighted notable Jewish figures and contributions, such as General Jacob and the Sassoon family in Mumbai.
Strategic Partnership
India and Israel are strategic partners with warm and forward-looking bilateral ties. In 2022-23, the two countries celebrated 30 years of full diplomatic relations. Gilon praised PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as strong supporters of Israel.
India’s Growing Influence
Gilon acknowledged India’s growing power and its importance on the global stage. He noted that many countries covet strong relations with India due to its significant population, economy, and strategic position.
India’s Stance on Israel-Palestine Conflict
PM Modi was one of the first world leaders to condemn Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. India has called for a complete ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages, supporting a ‘two-state solution’ to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Doubts Revealed
Ambassador -: An ambassador is a person who represents their country in another country. They work to maintain good relationships between the two countries.
Naor Gilon -: Naor Gilon is the person who represents Israel in India. He is the ambassador of Israel to India.
PM Modi -: PM Modi is the Prime Minister of India. His full name is Narendra Modi, and he is the leader of the Indian government.
PM Netanyahu -: PM Netanyahu is the Prime Minister of Israel. His full name is Benjamin Netanyahu, and he is the leader of the Israeli government.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar -: S Jaishankar is the person in charge of India’s foreign relations. He helps India maintain good relationships with other countries.
Jews -: Jews are people who follow Judaism, which is one of the oldest religions in the world. There is a long history of Jews living in India peacefully.
Two-state solution -: The two-state solution is an idea to solve the conflict between Israel and Palestine. It suggests creating two separate countries, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians, so they can live peacefully.