Although India recognised the Jewish State of Israel in 1950, official diplomatic ties were not established until 1992. Since then, ties between the two nations have improved as a result of shared worries about religious extremism and worldwide terrorism. In intelligence sharing and “counter-insurgency” activities, Israel and India have developed tight “cooperation.” Israelis, particularly young people, were drawn to Indian culture and history, resulting in the establishment of a connection. Israelis visited India, leading in the development of people-to-people connections. This provided a solid foundation for the formation of a formal diplomatic connection in 1992.

Various areas of strategic partnership

• Diplomatic Relations: Though India formally recognised Israel in 1950, the two nations did not establish full diplomatic relations until January 29, 1992. India was one of 164 United Nations (UN) member nations holding diplomatic links to Israel.

• Economic and Commercial Relations: From USD 200 million in 1992, bilateral goods trade reached USD 4.14 billion (excluding defence) between April 2020 and February 2021, with the trade balance favouring India. Diamond commerce accounts for almost half of all bilateral trade. India is Israel’s third-largest commercial partner in Asia and seventh-largest trade partner worldwide. Israeli firms have invested in India in energy, renewable energy, communications, real estate, and water technology, with the goal of establishing R&D centres or manufacturing facilities there. India is also negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with Israel (FTA).
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation: The India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) has been established  for low-cost technology advancements in mutually beneficial fields such as water, agriculture, energy, and digital technologies,   foster collaborative efforts that transform “know-how” into “show-how”
• Strategic: Given that both have been victims of terror acts, India and Israel are concerned about increasing terrorism in the West Asian area. On the Kashmir conflict (in general, Pakistan), Israel has sided for India, either by providing critical intelligence or weaponry during battles.
• Defence: India is Israel’s largest customer of military equipment, and Israel is India’s second-largest defence supplier behind Russia. Over the years, the Indian armed forces have received a wide range of Israeli weapon systems, including Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control Systems) and Heron, Searcher-II, and Haroperon drones, as well as Barak anti-missile defence systems and Spyder quick-response anti-aircraft missile systems. A slew of Israeli missiles and precision-guided munitions, ranging from Python and Derby air-to-air missiles to Crystal Maze and Spice-2000 bombs, have also been acquired. Countries decided to organise a Task Force to develop a comprehensive Ten-Year Roadmap to explore new areas of collaboration at the 15th Joint Working Group (JWG 2021) conference on Bilateral Defense Cooperation.
• Agriculture Cooperation: In May 2021, a “three-year work programme agreement” for agricultural development cooperation was signed. The initiative intends to expand current Centers of Excellence, build new centres, improve the value chain of the Centers of Excellence, transition the Centers of Excellence to self-sufficiency, and stimulate private sector enterprises and partnership.
• To address issues in Indian agriculture such as irregular rainfall, low agricultural output, and inefficient water usage. Cooperation in water conservation, waste-water treatment, and reuse for irrigation Agriculture, desalination, water utility reforms, and the use of sophisticated water technology to clean the Ganges and other waterways Israel’s experience in drip irrigation will assist India in meeting its goal of doubling farmer income. In horticulture automation, protected cultivation, orchard and canopy management, nursery management, micro-irrigation, and post-harvest management, India has profited from Israeli experience and technology.

• Collaboration in Space: India and Israel inked a cooperation pact in 2002 to promote space collaboration. ISRO’s PSLV successfully launched Israel’s TecSAR and RISAT-2 radar imaging satellites.
• Science and Technology: At its 8th Governing Body meeting, specialists from India and Israel discussed broadening the scope of the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F). They authorised three joint R&D projects totaling 5.5 million USD and proposed ways to establish a larger India-Israel cooperation ecosystem. I4F is a two-country collaboration to promote, facilitate, and support cooperative industrial R&D initiatives between enterprises in India and Israel to solve difficulties in the agreed-upon ‘Focus Sectors.’

Way forward

• Since 1992, the two countries’ connections have grown stronger, owing mostly to shared strategic objectives and security challenges.
• Indians sympathise with Israel, and the government is rebalancing and recalibrating its West Asian policy based on its own national interests.
• India and Israel must overcome their religious extreme neighbours’ vulnerabilities in order to engage constructively on global concerns such as climate change, water shortage, population growth, and food scarcity.
• A more assertive and proactive Middle Eastern strategy is required for India to reap the full benefits of the geopolitical realignments brought about by the Abraham Accords.

How to structure

1. Give an intro about India- Israel relations- add a map
2. Explain about the various areas of cooperation between India and Israel
3. Mention the significance of the partnership
4. Suggest areas where India and Israel should focus on and futuristic areas
5. Suggest way forward on improving the ties
6. Conclude

Reference:

1. https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/india-and-israel-are-not-just-friends-but-strategic-partners-101643560410510.html