New Delhi: For the first time, India is hosting a massive business delegation from Israel. Over 100 CEOs have traveled from Tel Aviv to New Delhi to discuss this new era of economic collaboration between these two countries. TV9 Network Executive Editor Aditya Raj Kaul speaks to Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat and discusses a host of issues including new economic collaboration, defense, agriculture and the turmoil in Middle East.
Nir Barkat’s third India visit in 2 years
Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat is visiting India for the third time in the last two years. In December last year, Barkat visited India on the invitation of Minister Piyush Goyal. “And what we found is we see eye to eye the opportunities and the threats and the challenges of India and Israel face. I was an entrepreneur and a venture capitalist, and as an investor before I was in public service, and I see the huge growth of India, becoming a not just a local destination market, but also, a regional and an international hub,” Barkat told TV9 Network.
“Great Opportunities for collaboration”
The Israeli minister, who was also former mayor of Jerusalem, said that it’s a great opportunity to collaborate and scale with India.
“So for Israelis, it’s a great opportunity to collaborate and scale with India. And so we are hedging on India. We believe that India has a great future. And if you look at geopolitics, India is well aligned with the United States and Israel. And so we have good government, the government. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu has set really good terms,” he said.
Need to consider what is happening in India
Nir Barakat also highlighted India’s significance at the global marketplace.
“The United States is a classic partner for us (Israel). But now that India is becoming so huge and important in the global marketplace, there’s many, many opportunities, and Israeli entrepreneurs has to consider that we have to consider what is happening in India. And because of the government to government, and people to people friendship, we enjoy coming to India,” the Israeli minister asserted.
“Won’t allow Hamas to rebuild”
Nir Barkat also said that Israel will not allow Hamas to regroup and rebuild Gaza.
“There’s no civil infrastructure in Gaza because the terror infrastructure was embedded in it. We will never allow, never allow Hamas or somebody similar to Hamas to rebuild Gaza, the way it was October 6. So if they want to build Dubai and enjoy and, come to the Abraham Accords, expand the Abraham Accords, sign on it. So President Trump was coming and saying, Israel is right,” he added.
