Cannot be a better time to set new goals to take forward bilateral relations: PM Modi on 30 yrs of India-Israel diplomatic ties

In a special video message on the completion of 30 years of full-fledged diplomatic relations between India and Israel, the Prime Minister noted that the period has played a significant role in the growth stories of the two countries.

He said the people of India and Israel have always shared a special relationship and the bilateral ties have gathered more significance as important changes are taking place in the world.

"For centuries, the Jew community has stayed in India in a harmonious environment without any discrimination and has grown. It has made an important contribution in our developmental journey," he said.

At a time when significant changes are taking place in the world, the importance of India-Israel ties has further increased, he added.

There cannot be a better opportunity than now for setting new goals for mutual cooperation when India is marking 75 years of its independence, Israel will mark 75 years of its independence next year and the two countries are marking 30 years of their diplomatic ties, PM Modi said.

"On this important milestone of 30 years, I congratulate all. I am confident that India-Israel friendship will continue to set new records of mutual cooperation in the decades to come," he said.

India's full-fledged diplomatic relations with Israel took off only on January 29, 1992, even though India had recognised Israel on September 17, 1950.

Since then both countries have developed their relations with each other into a multifaceted strategic partnership.

Earlier this week, Israel's envoy to India Naor Gilon had said the 30th anniversary of India-Israel diplomatic ties is a good opportunity to look ahead and shape the next 30 years of relations.

Gilon exuded confidence that India and Israel will continue to work closely with each other in the coming year.

India's Ambassador to Israel Sanjeev Singla said, "We are proud to mark the 30th anniversary of our bilateral relations and look forward to using the special logo throughout the year to celebrate this special milestone."

Stressing that "friendship and trust" are not only positive traits but also "real assets", the foreign ministers of India and Israel in a joint op-ed for an Israeli daily on Friday had said the two countries have worked together to "deepen their roots" for the last three decades, delving together to find solutions to common challenges, including in the security sector.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid contributed a joint piece, "Deepening Roots" for Israel Hayom on the occasion of 30 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.