External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar today said that India supports the Gaza peace plan and hopes that it paves the way for a durable and lasting solution.

In his opening remarks during his meeting with Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, in New Delhi, the Minister said that both India and Israel face a particular challenge from terrorism, and it is essential that both nations work towards ensuring a global approach of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Welcoming the Israeli Foreign Minister and delegation, Dr Jaishankar added that India and Israel have a strategic partnership and both nations have stood together through testing times and created a relationship with a very high degree of trust.

The External Affairs Minister said that in recent times India has developed many new capabilities, especially in rail, road, port infrastructure, renewable energy and health. He expressed that Indian businesses are keen to explore opportunities in Israel, and Indian workers in growing numbers are also present today in Israel.

Dr Jaishankar further mentioned that both India and Israel share a history of cooperation in semiconductors and cyber, and India looks forward to Israel’s presence at the AI Impact Summit in February next year. He looked forward to further deliberations with the Israeli Foreign Minister and said that this visit of the delegation provides an opportunity to review bilateral cooperation between the two nations.