India and Israel on Tuesday held the 17th meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) on defence cooperation, inking several key agreements including sharing of advanced defence tech. In a statement, Defence Ministry of India said that an MoU on Defence Cooperation was signed during the meeting to provide a unified vision and policy direction to deepen the already strong defence cooperation between the two countries.
In a statement, Defence Ministry of India, said, "A wide range of areas for cooperation have been identified in the MoU that will benefit both countries. Important fields include strategic dialogues of mutual interest, training, defence industrial cooperation, and capabilities including Science & Technology, Research & Development and Technological Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security cooperation. The MoU will enable the sharing of advanced technology and would promote co-development and co-production."
It furhter added that the collaboration will result in sharing of advanced tech. "The JWG reviewed the ongoing defence cooperation initiatives and agreed that both the nations have benefited from each other’s strengths. The two sides discussed the potential areas for future collaboration in the field of technology as well as enhancing operational capabilities. They also deliberated on various issues, including shared challenges of terrorism and underscored their collective resolve to fight against the threat," it said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who is in Delhi to attend the JWG, also met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Israel and reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating all forms of terrorism.
During the meeting, both sides also exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on training between India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Israel’s Foreign Ministry. In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar thanked Sa'ar for briefing him on the Israeli perspective on developments in the region, the Gaza Peace Plan and efforts to build a durable and lasting solution.
"An excellent meeting with FM @gidonsaar of Israel today in New Delhi. Productive discussions on strengthening our Strategic Partnership across various domains. Reaffirmed our zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he wrote in a post.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday reaffirmed India’s deep and enduring ties with Israel, describing the partnership as one built on “a high degree of trust and reliability.” During his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in New Delhi, Jaishankar also expressed India’s support for the Gaza Peace Plan.
Months after Operation Sindoor destroyed terror camps deep inside Pakistan, the Indian Security Forces are now conducting Exercise Trishul, a Tri-Service Exercise involving the Indian Navy, Indian Army and Indian Air Force along the Western Border with Pakistan.
