India and Israel pledge to boost ties in defence and technology

7 hours agoCherylann MollanGetty ImagesIndia and Israel concluded over a dozen bilateral agreements during Modi's two-day visitPrime Minister Narendra Modi has said India and Israel would deepen cooperation in defence and artificial intelligence as he concluded a two-day visit to Israel.Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu said in a joint statement on Thursday that their countries would work towards pursuing a free trade agreement."We've taken a historic decision to elevate our time-tested partnership to a Special Strategic Partnership," Modi said in a post on X.Modi's second visit to Israel since 2017 has been seen as a test of India's foreign policy as it tries to balance its ties with Israel and other Middle Eastern countries.During the visit, Modi toured Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial, and addressed the Knesset, where he condemned the October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel."We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel, firmly, with full conviction, in this moment, and beyond," he said.Earlier too, India had condemned the deadly attack and expressed solidarity with Israel, while also voicing concern over civilian casualties in Gaza and reiterating its support for a two-state solution.The two countries also concluded over a dozen bilateral agreements, including on cybersecurity, trade, space exploration, education, investment, agriculture and economic cooperation.Additionally, Israel pledged to allow another 50,000 Indian workers into the country over the next five years while India has said that it would extend its landmark digital payment system - UPI - to Israel, boosting digital finance cooperation between the two countries.In the joint statement, the two leaders also "unequivocally condemned terrorism" and cross-border terrorism and lauded US President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza."India's thinking is clear: humanity must never become a victim of conflict. The Gaza peace plan has opened a path to peace. India has fully supported these efforts. We will continue dialogue and cooperation with all countries in the future," Modi said at a joint news conference on Thursday.While the two prime ministers have described the visit as being productive and a sign of India and Israel's growing strategic ties, Modi's visit has received some criticism at home.Jairam Ramesh, spokesperson for the main opposition Congress party, has condemned the trip and accused the Modi government of abandoning the Palestinian cause.Despite the criticism, analysts say the visit reflects India's long-term strategic interests.Kabir Taneja, executive director of the Observer Research Foundation think-tank's Middle East office earlier told the BBC that Modi's visit was "largely driven by bilateral requirements" but added that regional stability in the Middle East was "critically important" for India's broader interests.