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India-Israel bilateral
relations
Political Relations
On September 17, 1950, India
announced recognition of Israel.
Ben Gurion, Israel’s
first Prime Minister, held Mahatma Gandhi in high esteem. Soon after India’s
recognition of Israel,
the Jewish Agency established an immigration office in Bombay. This was soon converted into a
Trade Office and later a Consulate. Sporadic governmental contacts continued
between India
and Israel
in the fifties and early sixties, including visits by former Minister
Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Israeli Ministers like Yigal Allon, Moshe Sharett
and Gideon Rafael. Following decision to establish diplomatic relations, Israel opened
its Embassy in Delhi in February 1992 and India opened
its Embassy in Tel Aviv on 15 May 1992. Since then
relations have seen rapid growth across a broad spectrum.
Bilateral Visits
Since the
establishment of Embassies, a large number of ministerial visits have taken
place. The period since 1992 has been utilized to put in place the framework
of normal state-to-state relations, including agreements and MOUs in diverse
areas of cooperation. Click
here for a list of
bilateral agreements and high level visits.
Bilateral
institutional mechanisms include Foreign Office Consultations; Strategic
dialogue between NSAs; JWG on Counter-Terrorism and Non Proliferation
Dialogue; JWG on Defence Cooperation; JWG on Trade and Economic cooperation;
Joint Committee on Agriculture Economic and
commercial relations.
Bilateral Trade
India-Israel
bilateral trade and economic relations are progressing steadily. From a base
of US$ 200 million comprising primarily of diamonds in 1992, merchandise
trade has diversified and increased rapidly, reaching US$ 4012.50 million at
the end of 2008. Click here for more details relating to Trade and commerce.
Training Programs
The Israeli MFA’s
Centre for International Cooperation (MASHAV) has conducted activities in diverse fields with India. These
include courses in various fields in Israel as well as in India,
including health, agriculture, education and management. The Horticultural
Demonstration Farm at IARI Research Institute in PUSA, New Delhi was a result of technical
cooperation between the two countries.
Culture &
Tourism
India is known in Israel
as an ancient nation with strong cultural traditions, and in popular Israeli
perception India
is an attractive, alternative tourist destination. Israeli youth are
particularly attracted to India.
About 35,000 Israelis, mostly youth, after finishing military service, visit India
annually. The level of understanding of and knowledge about India is growing,
in some measure as a result of India's economic advancement and image as an
important centre for hi-tech as well as the contribution of individuals like
Zubin Mehta. The number of pilgrims and tourists from India
visiting Israel
touched 20,000 in 2007.
LIST OF BILATERAL AGREEMENTS
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Bilateral
agreements
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Agreement Date
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Establishment of
Full Bilateral Diplomatic Relations
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29.01.1992
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Agreement for the
Promotion and Protection of Investments
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29.01.1996
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Convention for
the Avoidance of Double Taxation and for the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion
with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital
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29.01.1996
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Bilateral Agreement
regarding Mutual Assistance and Cooperation in Customs matters
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29.01.1996
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Agreement on
Cooperation in Peace Uses of Outer Space
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28.10.2002
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Agreement on
Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine
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09.09.2003
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Agreement on Cooperation
in combating illicit trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs and
psychotropic substances
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09.09.2003
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Agreement on
Cooperation in the field of Protection of the Environment
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09.09.2003
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Agreement on Exemption
of Visa requirement for holders of diplomatic, official and service
passports
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09.09.2003
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Memorandum of
Understanding on India-Israeli Research and Development Fund Initiative
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30.05.2005
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Inter Governmental
Work Plan on Agriculture Cooperation
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10.05.2006
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LIST OF BILATERAL VISITS
From Israel
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Visiting Delegate
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Date of visit
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FM Shimon Peres
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May 1993
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President Ezer Weizmann
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Jan 1997
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FM Shimon Peres
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Jan 2002
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PM Ariel Sharon
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Sep 2003
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DPM and FM Silvan Shalom
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Feb 2004
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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Industry
and Labour Eliyahu Yishai
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December 2006
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Minister of Transport and Road Safety Shaul Mofaz
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March 2007
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Minister of Interior Meir Sheetrit
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November 2007
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Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Shalom Simon
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January 2008
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From India
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Visiting Delegate
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Date of visit
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Home Minister LK Advani
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June 2000
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EAM Jaswant Singh
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July 2000
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MOS (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Shri
Kapil Sibal
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May 2005
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MOS for Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja
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September 2005
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Agriculture Minister Shri Sharad Pawar
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November 2005
May 2006
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Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath
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November 2005
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MOS for Industry Ashwani Kumar
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August 2007
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MOS for Railways R. Velu
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December 2007
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Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
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February 2008
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Chief Justice of Supreme Court Shri K. G. Balakrishnan
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December 2008
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Chief Minister
of Punjab Shri Parkash Singh Badal and
Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal
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November 2009
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