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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$ 4747.10 million at
the end of 2010. 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 is
also increasing every year.
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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Back to top
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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Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour
Binyamin Ben Eliezer
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January 2010
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Minister of Agriculture Orit Noked
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May 2011
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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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Minister of
State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia
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February 2010
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Minister of
State Science & Technology Shri Prithviraj Chavan
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March 2010
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Several Members
of Parliament
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July 2010
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Comptroller and
Auditor General Shri Vinod
Rai
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May 2011
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Minister of
State for Communications and IT Mr. Sachin Pilot
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May 2011
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Chief Minister
of Haryana, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda
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April 2011
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Please click here for
a detailed brief on the Bilateral
relations
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