'Extraordinarily productive': India and Israel elevate ties (17 pacts signed as Modi, Netanyahu hold talks; tech key to partnership), Pg3

Key Highlights:

• India and Israel have elevated their relationship to a "Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity".
• 17 agreements were signed between the two countries following discussions between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu.
• The partnership will focus on cooperation in areas such as AI, quantum computing, and critical minerals.
• A Critical and Emerging Technologies Partnership will be established to boost cooperation in technology.
• Both leaders condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism.
• An MoU signed last year will add a new dimension to the defense partnership.

India-Israel

Detailed Insights:

• The decision to elevate the bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership reflects the aspirations of the people of both countries and has stood the test of time.
• The two countries firmed their ties as a Strategic Partnership in 2017 during Modi’s first bilateral visit to Israel.
• The bilateral meeting focused on technological partnership, with technology being central to the future partnership.
• There were 27 outcomes overall, including an MoU on AI and the establishment of the Indo-Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence in India.
• The outcomes included the elevation of a joint commission on science and technology to the ministerial level and an initiative to collaborate in critical emerging technologies led by National Security Advisors.
• The leaders acknowledged the significant growth made in defense cooperation between their nations, both in scope and scale, and they provided a vision and a roadmap for future defense cooperation.
• India’s security interests are directly linked to peace and stability in West Asia, and India has supported dialogue and a peaceful solution from the beginning.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Special Strategic Partnership: A high-level diplomatic relationship signifying deep trust, shared values, and commitment to cooperation across various sectors.
• Critical and Emerging Technologies: Technologies that are crucial for economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness, including AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity.
• Cross-border terrorism: Terrorist acts that are planned, coordinated, and executed across international borders, posing a threat to regional and global security.