Indo-Israeli defence relationship a key pillar of growing partnership: Foreign Minister Cohen

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

growing partnership, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has said that his country was willing to create more platforms of joint Research & Development to identify shared challenges, discuss and find solutions together, and even manufacture them together. Cohen also said that the scope for trade opportunities between India and Israel was huge and there is a strong desire to finalise a free trade agreement that will further strengthen the bilateral economic ties.
«The Indo-Israeli defence relationship has been a key pillar of the growing partnership.

Our relations are based on three basic foundations: shared values, mutual interests and common challenges. With such well-synchronised defence cooperation, Israel was among the first countries to take up the call for the Make in India initiative and start joint projects with a manufacturing base in India,» he told THE WEEK magazine in an interview.
«We have no doubt in Israel that R&D serves as a growth engine for the local industry.

That is why we are willing to create more platforms of joint R&D to pinpoint shared challenges, discuss and find solutions together, and even manufacture them together. Both sides have a lot to gain from this collaboration,» he added.
Commenting on the growing relationship between the two countries, Cohen said that one of the major milestones has been Israel joining the Make in India initiative.
«Now Israeli technologies and know-how are being transferred [for manufacturing] in India.

Further, Israel continues to be India's strategic partner. Beyond the continuous dialogue between many government ministries regarding agriculture, water, health, education, innovation, technology and more, there are plenty of activities underway, including joint