News Brief
Israel's Foreign Minister Says 'India Is A Global Superpower', Backs Stronger Strategic Partnership
EAM Jaishankar meets Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar in New Delhi (X/@DrSJaishankar)
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has described India as a “global superpower” and said bilateral relations are “stronger than ever,” spanning across defence, innovation, counterterrorism, and trade, the NDTV reported.
He said, "I believe India is the future. India is world’s largest democracy and is the fastest growing economy. India is a global superpower”.
In an interview with NDTV following his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Sa’ar said, “We are improving consistently. We are thankful for India’s friendship,” adding that both nations are preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation.
“We are moving forward on defence, agriculture, and economy, but we always have the passion to make it stronger,” he said.
Expressing gratitude for India’s support after the 7 October 2023 Hamas terror attacks, Sa’ar noted, “We will not forget the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first world leader to call Prime Minister Netanyahu on that awful day. India stood by us, and we will remember that.”
On the Middle East peace process, Gideon Sa’ar stressed that Israel continues to back the Trump peace plan, viewing it as a pragmatic and phased approach to achieving stability in the region. He noted that India, as a leading global power, has an important role in supporting the continuity of this framework.
The Israeli government’s approach remains conditional, guided by lessons from past experiences and focused on ensuring national security above all else.
Emphasising the shared struggle against terrorism, Sa’ar highlighted that both India and Israel have endured its consequences and continue to collaborate closely in intelligence, technology, and defence sectors to counter such threats effectively.
He also viewed Adani Group’s investment in Haifa Port as a demonstration of mutual trust and deepening economic ties between the two nations.
Sa’ar concluded that India’s growing global influence complements Israel’s regional strength, creating vast potential for strategic cooperation and joint progress.
