Defence Ministers of India and Israel hold discussions over rising tensions

New Delhi: – Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a telephonic talk with Israeli defence Minister Lt Gen Benjamin Gantz, against the background of the tension with China. Israel is a leading country in defence supplies to India. Indian has accelerated the process of defence preparedness, following the Galwan Valley incident and has started large scale purchases of defence equipment from countries like the United States, Russia, France and South Korea. The discussion on Friday, becomes important against this background.

India has made its border strategies more aggressive following the blow delivered by the Indian military to China in the Galwan Valley. India has started largescale military deployment all along the Chinese border. For this purpose, India is in continuous contact with its major supplier countries for defence equipment. All the major countries, including Israel, have responded positively to the Indian demand for expediting supply of the defence equipment. As per sources, the main stress of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was on this very issue, during the discussions with the Israeli Defence Minister.

The statement issued by the Indian defence ministry said ‘Defence Ministers of both the countries expressed satisfaction over the progress of military cooperation between the countries. Both agreed that there are many openings for strengthening bilateral cooperation. The issue of tension on the border also featured in the discussions.’ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also appealed that the Israeli defence manufacturers should take a major role in Indian defence manufacturing sector.

Only a few days ago, the defence ministry placed an order for 16,000 Light Machine Guns to Israel. Indications that two of the Israeli super-advanced assault rifles will be manufactured in India, had already been given. Arad and Carmel assault rifles will be made in the plant built jointly by Punj Lloyd of India and Israel Weapons System. It is also being said that the Indian Army will be purchasing Spike Superfly drones, anti-tank missiles and air defence systems from Israel. India has signed an agreement for the purchase of defence equipment, worth more than $2 billion, with Israel, in 2017.