Latest news with #India-Israel
Middle East Eye
5 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
India and Israel meet to deepen military ties in sign of solidarity amid Gaza atrocities
India and Israeli military officials have pledged to deepen and strengthen military ties even as images of Israel's engineered starvation of Palestinians continue to send shockwaves around the world. More than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel's war on Gaza, which several countries, as well as many international rights groups and experts, now qualify as an act of genocide. More than 115 Palestinians, including 80 children, are estimated to have died from starvation in the past month, including 15 who died of malnutrition on Monday. Earlier this week, more than two dozen countries, including France and the UK, condemned "the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food', further calling for Israel's war on Gaza to end. But as global condemnation and calls for an arms embargo on Israel mounted this week, on Wednesday, India's defence secretary and the director general of Israel's Ministry of Defence met in New Delhi and "agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with a long-term perspective". The meeting between Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and the Israel's deputy chief of staff, Major General Amir Baram, signalled, once more, Delhi's intention to remain committed to supporting Israel diplomatically and economically even as Israel loses the support of some of its staunchest allies. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters In the statement released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Wednesday, Delhi said its defence secretary "reiterated India's zero tolerance approach to terrorism and condemned the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel and called for the release of all hostages." It also narrated Israel's "support for India's fight against terrorism". The statement said the visit by the Israeli deputy chief of staff "marks a pivotal step in India-Israel defence relations and reinforces both sides' commitment to enhance their strategic partnership," the statement added. Flurry of meetings The meeting comes as part of a flurry of diplomatic and economic exchanges between the two states over the past several weeks. On Wednesday, Delhi's Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh held a meeting with Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar in the capital, in which Singh reiterated the country's commitment to stand with Israel "during these difficult times'. Singh is reported to have added that both countries shared a 'strong relationship based on friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect'. According to reports, the duo discussed using Israeli expertise to improve healthcare, education, parks, and solid waste management in Delhi. 'With Israel being a technologically advanced country, this kind of exchange of ideas and experiences will further strengthen the functioning of the corporation,' Delhi's Commissioner Ashwani Kumar said. The mayor's comments were promptly slammed by Indian activists based in Delhi. A letter circulating amongst activists described Singh's comments as "a cruel, cold-blooded joke in the face of rivers of Palestinian blood." 'Mayor Singh's disgraceful declaration that he 'stands with Israel in difficult times' is nothing short of a moral betrayal and a distortion of truth' - letter from Indian activists " Mayor Singh's disgraceful declaration that he 'stands with Israel in difficult times' is nothing short of a moral betrayal and a distortion of truth," a letter signed by several activists in India read. "Whose 'difficult times' is he speaking of? It is not Israel but the people of Palestine who are enduring the most horrific times - relentless bombings, the destruction of hospitals, schools, homes, and the systematic blocking of essential food, water, and medical supplies. "It is Israel that has unleashed a barbaric campaign of mass murder - targeting children, women, the elderly, and unarmed civilians without the slightest regard for international law or basic humanity," the letter condemning the mayor's comments, added. The latest meetings come just two weeks after the Israeli government said it was finalising an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) with India. IPAs are meant to address the risk of investing in each other's countries at a time of rising insecurity. Commenting on the IPA, Abdulla Moaswes, a Palestinian writer and academic based in the UK, told Middle East Eye the Indian government was using its ties with Israel to project "diplomatic victories to its voter base, amongst whom support for Israel is a popular sentiment". India is the world's largest importer of Israeli weapons and Delhi is also emerging as a major co-producer of Israeli weapons. Activists in India have been urging their government to impose an arms embargo after it discovered that Delhi had sent combat drones as well as an AI weapons system in aid of Israel's war effort. In December, Delhi said it would be guided by its "national interest" before reconsidering the transfer of weapons or arms sales to Israel.
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Top Israeli Defence Ministry Official Meets NSA Doval, Discusses Iran Conflict
Last Updated: Israel's Defence Ministry Director General Amir Baram met NSA Ajit Doval and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh during his India visit this week. Israel on Thursday said India remains a 'key strategic ally" and described the relationship between the two countries as 'resilient through difficult times". The statement was made by the Israeli Defence Ministry, a day after Director General of Israel's Ministry of Defence, Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram's first working visit to India, according to a report by PTI. Baram's New Delhi visit on July 22-23 included high-level meetings with key Indian officials, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. Baram discussed expanding defence and strategic partnerships centreing around R&D collaboration and joint manufacturing initiatives with New Delhi and also mentioned the defence-industrial collaboration between the two countries. Discussions centred on expanding defence and strategic partnerships, emphasising R&D collaboration and joint manufacturing initiatives, it added. 'India is a key strategic ally of Israel, and our partnership has proven resilient through difficult times. Recent operational achievements and common security challenges create an important window to expand our nations' defence-industrial collaboration," Baram was quoted as saying in the statement. Operation Rising Lion was launched by Israel against Iran with the twin goals of foiling its nuclear ambitions and demolishing its missile capabilities. Baram also engaged with Indian defence companies separately to explore new industrial collaborations, the statement added. Baram returned to Israel on Thursday, the news agency said in a report. In New Delhi, the Indian defence ministry said in a statement on Wednesday after the Singh-Baram bilateral meeting that the two sides agreed to further strengthen the bilateral defence cooperation with a 'long-term perspective" and 'concurred to work towards developing an institutional framework for further deepening of defence ties." The two sides also reviewed the progress of the ongoing defence collaboration activities since the last Joint Working Group meeting held in India in July 2024. This visit by the DG of Israel's Ministry of Defence marks a 'pivotal step in India-Israel defence relations and reinforces both sides' commitment to enhance their strategic partnership," the statement added. view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 20:23 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India-Israel forge deeper defence ties; condemn terrorist acts of Pahalgam, Oct 7
The top brass from India and Israel held a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, where discussions focused on further deepening the bilateral defence cooperation with a vision of a long-term perspective. The discussions took place between India's Defence Secretary and the Director General of Israel's Ministry of Defence, as said by India's Ministry of Defence in an official statement. As per the Ministry, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held a bilateral meeting with Director General, Israel Ministry of Defence Major General (Res.) Amir Baram in New Delhi on Wednesday. The two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with a long-term perspective. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologist: The Best Method for a Flat Stomach After 50 (It's Genius!) Lulutox Undo In a significant move, they concurred to work towards developing an institutional framework for further deepening of defence ties, the official statement said. The Israel DG condemned the dastardly terrorist attack which took place in Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 people, including one foreign national on April 22 were killed in cold blood. Live Events He conveyed full support for India's fight against terrorism. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh reiterated India's zero tolerance approach to terrorism and condemned the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel and called for the release of all hostages. At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas's attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7, TPS reported. The official statement noted that the two sides also reviewed the progress of the ongoing defence collaboration activities since last Joint Working Group meeting held in July 2024 in India. This visit by the Major General (Res) Amir Baram marks a pivotal step in India-Israel defence relations and reinforces both sides' commitment to enhance their strategic partnership.
United News of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Defence Secy holds bilateral meeting with DG of Israeli Defence Ministry
New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh today held a bilateral meeting with Director General, Israel Ministry of Defence Major General (Res) Amir Baram here. Both sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with a long-term perspective. They concurred to work towards developing an institutional framework for further deepening of defence ties, a Defence Ministry statement said. The Israel DG condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and conveyed full support for India's fight against terrorism. Defence Secretary reiterated India's zero tolerance approach to terrorism and condemned the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel and called for the release of all hostages. The two sides also reviewed the progress of the ongoing defence collaboration activities since last Joint Working Group meeting held in July last year in India. This visit by DG Israel MoD marks a pivotal step in India-Israel defence relations and reinforces both sides' commitment to enhance their strategic partnership. UNI RBE SS
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
India, Israel seek to further strengthen defence ties
India's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan during a meeting with the Director General of Israel's Ministry of Defence Major General Amir Baram, in New Delhi. (@HQ_IDS_India on X via PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: India and Israel on Wednesday agreed to further strengthen their already expansive defence cooperation with a long-term perspective, even as Tel Aviv strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The countries also decided to work towards developing an institutional framework to further deepen their bilateral defence ties in talks between defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and director general of Israeli defence ministry Major General Amir Baram here. "The Israeli DG condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and conveyed full support for India's fight against terrorism . Singh, in turn, reiterated India's zero tolerance approach to terrorism. Singh also condemned the terrorist attacks in Israel on Oct 7, 2023, and called for release of all hostages," an official said. The two sides reviewed progress of the ongoing defence collaboration activities since the last joint working group meeting held in July 2024. "This visit by the Israeli DG Israel marks a pivotal step in India-Israel defence relations and reinforces both sides' commitment to enhance their strategic partnership," the official said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Launch - 2 & 3 BHK - Kharadi, Pune - 86.5 Lakh* Kohinoor Riverdale Get Info Undo India had extensively used Israeli-origin weapon systems during the cross-border hostilities with Pakistan from May 7 to 10. India, for instance, used the Israeli Harop and Harpy kamikaze drones, which act as cruise missiles by exploding into enemy targets and radars, to hit air defence sites and other targets deep inside Pakistan, as was earlier reported by TOI. India also used Barak-8 medium range surface-to-air missile systems, jointly developed with Israel, as part of its multi-layered air defence network to thwart the multiple waves of Turkish drones and Chinese missiles fired by Pakistan.
