Free trade between India and Israel soon

Bhopal, Apr 09: “Israel has trade of $ 3.30 billion with India and would double in next few years. Soon free trade between India and Israel is also likely,” said Lior Weintraub, Spokesman of Embassy of Israel in India. While talking to media persons here on Wednesday, Lior called upon the International community to send out a strong message to Iran, stating that Iran is the biggest destabilizing force in our region.

He said that Iran has been arming and financing terrorist groups, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, against Israel which the countries across the globe should condemn.  On the relations between India and Israel, he said that they were very good, no matter whether Congress or BJP at Centre. Since, the Israeli embassy was opened in India in 1992; the relations are healthy in several aspects including Trade, Science, Academia, Cultural and people to people contact. The relations are going ahead by passing each month and year, he added.

Besides, Indo-Israeli defence ties have grown beyond a buyer-seller relationship and are now based on trust and good friendship. He stated that there is a lot of interest on both sides on the economic front. More than a hundred private companies are still searching for collaboration in India and similarly, India companies are also reaching Israel. “Purchase of an Israeli Pharmaceutical company 'Taro' by an Indian conglomerate 'Sun' can be seen as its biggest example,” he added.

The Israeli spokesman felt that both India and Israel can also learn from each other in the field of agriculture, water management, water recycling and drip irrigation which in turn would also help the farmers grow. Talking about life in Israel, he stated that there is scarcity of water in the country and thus, two quality of water- potable and agriculture purposes are supplied through government round the clock, but wasting water is a crime and the offender is liable to fine of minimum Rs 7,000. “I personally feel that the people here also have a very favorable approach towards Israelis. Israeli tourists are welcomed with open arms in India and we also extend the same to Indians who wish to visit our country. Nearly fifty thousand Israeli tourists arrive in India every year,” he further said.