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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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