Israel India defence cooperation talks deepen strategic partnership, says IMOD

A delegation of senior Israeli defence officials is in India, with Israel’s Ministry of Defence saying the trip will deepen strategic ties. The ministry said the visit also shows Israel’s push to grow cooperation with key countries in the region. Israel’s Director General at the ministry, Maj Gen Res Amir Baram, is leading the engagement.

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Israel’s Ministry of Defence said Baram held several high-level meetings in India. The talks included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and other senior defence ministry officials. The ministry said both sides discussed ways to expand defence and industrial cooperation through closer bilateral work.

Israel defence exports and India cooperation

In its statement, the Israeli Ministry of Defence linked the visit to a wider exports-driven strategy. It said exports are viewed as a tool to support the Israel Defence Forces build-up. The ministry also tied this approach to foreign policy goals. It added that exports support Israel’s defence industry and the economy.

The ministry said the India visit fits a broader effort to widen Israel’s strategic partnerships. It described an "eastward focus\" in this outreach. The statement added that Israel aims to deepen cooperation with key nations in the region. It presented the delegation’s schedule as part of that wider diplomatic and defence plan.

India Israel defence and industrial alliance talks

Baram described India as a key strategic partner and spoke about the purpose of the trip. Baram said, \"this important visit is a result of a lengthy bilateral preparation process and reflects the great importance that India and Israel attach to expanding their growing defence and industrial alliance - but no less so, the depth of the bond between our two nations.\"

Baram also said the relationship goes beyond shared interests. Baram said, \"A bond rooted in shared values, deep cultural appreciation, and mutual trust that goes well beyond mere interests. That is what makes this partnership unique, and the joint projects we are advancing together all the more meaningful,\" according to the ministry statement.

India Israel MoU and defence cooperation areas

India and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding in February this year. The agreement was signed shortly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel. The MoU identified several cooperation areas expected to benefit both countries. The planned work spans security and defence ties, including steps to deepen industry coordination.

Security sources said the MoU covered joint planning, training, and defence industrial cooperation. The sources said it also included capabilities linked to science and technology. Other areas listed were research and development and technological innovation. The sources added that artificial intelligence and cyber security cooperation were also identified.

According to the same sources, the framework would support sharing advanced technology between the two sides. The sources said it would also help encourage co-development and co-production. The Israeli Ministry of Defence positioned the current delegation visit as a way to move the partnership forward through official meetings and follow-up discussions.

With inputs from PTI