India, Israel face similar challenges from radicalism & terrorism: Indian MEA S Jaishankar

Jerusalem: – Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said that India and Israel share the same extremist and terrorist threats. Jaishankar, who is on a five-day visit to Israel, pointed to these threats while underlining the importance of security cooperation between India and Israel. At the same time, Foreign Minister Jaishankar announced that discussions for a free trade agreement between India and Israel are set to start the next month. It has been revealed that the Indian Foreign Minister will also be holding talks with the US Secretary of State and the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) along with the Israeli Foreign Minister.

It is claimed that the challenge of Pakistan sponsored terrorism has intensified further, with the Taliban coming to power in Afghanistan. Pakistan has refused to recognise Israel; the Taliban has also announced that it will not recognise Israel, following Pakistan’s footsteps. Foreign Minister Jaishankar clarified the importance of security-related cooperation between India and Israel, pointing out that extremism and terrorism pose a severe threat to Israel and India. Jaishankar said that India and Israel believe in democracy and diversity, consider the world their home.

While addressing the Indian diaspora in Israel, the Indian Foreign Minister lauded the Israeli contribution in building India. Foreign Minister Jaishankar cited the historical ties between India and Israel and said that the Jewish sacred scriptures also mention the relations with India. Jaishankar also recalled that while research on the Coronavirus vaccine was underway, India received valuable support from Israel. Asking this question, ‘But can we take this cooperation to new heights?’, the Indian Foreign Minister emphasised the need to strengthen further communication and cooperation between researchers and students in both the countries.

Announcing that a free trade agreement between India and Israel is set to begin next month, the Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction over the development. The talks will be concluded by June, next year and the agreement will be finalised, Jaishankar said. Moreover, during his visit to Israel, Foreign Minister Jaishankar will hold video conferences with Israeli Foreign Minister Jair Lapid, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdul bin Zayed Al Nahyan; the Israeli Foreign Ministry revealed this information.

Some have claimed that the cooperation between India, Israel, the United States and UAE is a sign of a new QUAD in Asia. In 2020, Israel signed the Abraham Agreement with the United Arab Emirates and other Middle East states. This has brought the Middle East countries closer to Israel, which has shaken the Middle East. Given these changes in the situation in the Middle East, the Indian role in the region becomes even more important. Israeli diplomats are testifying to this, and there are clear indications that Indian influence in the region is growing exponentially.

In such a scenario, the discussions of the Indian Foreign Ministers with the Foreign Ministers of Israel, the United States and UAE become significant. The critical fact is that India also shares excellent relations with Iran, a staunch enemy of Israel, and has always maintained a balance in its foreign policy with both countries. There are indications that this will only increase Indian influence in the future.