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Mandovi river water exemplifies this
point. Plus, several new areas of
cooperation beckon. This includes
cyber-security and border surveillance,
India-Israel Ties collaborations in critical infrastructure,
and big data and smart cities-related
Stronger than Ever tie ups. Israel is also known as ‘startup
nation’ and can help budding Indian IT
firms attain greater value and
sustainability.
Not unexpectedly, the nine odd pacts include a five-year work plan for strategic The India-Israel deal for the Spike
cooperation in agriculture, water and innovation —By Subhashis Mittra Anti-Tank Guided Missile, which was
scrapped over cost and technology
Prime Minister Narendra Modi friendship” between India and Israel. transfer issues, is back on track after
breaking protocol to personally receive Netanyahu’s visit was also a fitting the two leaders held extensive talks to
his “good friend” Benjamin Netanyahu climax to the commemoration of 25 strengthen ties in the strategic areas
and the bonhomie between the two years of bilateral diplomatic relations. of defence and counter-terrorism. On
leaders during the visit of the Israeli MUTUAL BENEFICIARIES the Spike missile, the two sides
prime minister to India is expected to Israel today is not only a major defence discussed the possibility of procuring
go a long way in elevating New Delhi- supplier for India, but is also at the the weapon for the Indian Army under
Tel Aviv ties beyond defence. forefront of facilitating technology a new format. While the contours of
INDIA-ISRAEL BONHOMIE the procurement of the missile,
The two leaders not only hugged each including the quantity, transfer of
other and shook hands a number of In Brief technology and other aspects, have
times during their joint press event, but  Israel today is a major defence been left for the officials to discuss,
Netanyahu called Modi a there was a general agreement
“revolutionary leader” and used an supplier for India. between the two sides to take forward
endearment like “my friend Narendra”.  It is also at the forefront of the issue once again after the Defence
Modi reciprocated with great warmth, facilitating technology Ministry had cancelled the deal.
welcoming his guest in Hebrew, adoption in a wide range of The Defence Ministry had earlier
reflecting the deep camaraderie the two Indian sectors. desired to buy 321 launchers and 8,356
leaders share. The chemistry between  Agriculture and water in Spike missiles from Rafael Advanced
the two leaders is well known. Last particular are benefiting from Defence System for the Indian Army.
year when Modi visited Israel, the first Israeli inputs. However, the idea was shelved after
Indian prime minister to do so, he was  The India-Israel deal for the the Defence Research and
received by Netanyahu at the airport, a Spike Anti-Tank Guided Development Organisation announced
gesture normally reserved for guests Missile is back on track. it can make such missiles at home. The
such as US presidents. The defence ministries of the two countries
overwhelming warmth was also seen  Free trade would enable will be now holding discussions
when the two leaders took a walk along Indian companies to better sometime this year to initiate active
the Mediterranean Sea during Modi’s integrate with global value involvement of the public and private
visit. chains through Israel. sectors, for viable, sustainable and
The same warmth continued with long-term cooperation in the defence
Modi setting aside protocol to receive industry. A total of nine agreements
Netanyahu at the Delhi airport. At the adoption in a wide range of Indian were signed in the areas of film co-
joint press conference, Netanyahu sectors. Agriculture and water in production, cyber security, and oil and
showered praise on Modi. “You are a particular are benefiting from Israeli gas between the two countries. Not
revolutionary leader and you are inputs. Israel is known as the country unexpectedly, the nine odd pacts
revolutionising India. You are that made the desert bloom through include a five-year work plan for
catapulting this magnificent state into innovations such as drip irrigation. strategic cooperation in agriculture,
to the future. And you have In fact, agrarian India needs to learn water and innovation. Israel has
revolutionised the relations between to conserve and reuse water from demonstrated strength in these areas
Israel and India,” said Netanyahu, Israel. India has a poor record of water and there is dire need for India to raise
popularly known as ‘Bibi’. conservation that deepens agrarian both farm productivity and farmers’
Modi also responded warmly distress and interstate strife: the row incomes.
dubbing Netanyahu’s visit as a “long- between Goa, Karnataka and
anticipated moment in the journey of Maharashtra over the sharing of (Contd on page 40)
March 2018 Competition Wizard 37