India and Israel are witnessing continued upward momentum in their relationship through exchange of regular visits and consultations

India and Israel on Monday comprehensively reviewed the progress in the strategic fields of defence, security, counter-terrorism and cyber security.

Both countries during the 16th round of Foreign Office Consultations also held discussion in the areas of water and agriculture, science and technology, innovation and start-ups, energy, academic collaboration, furthering trade and mutual investments.

The Indian side led by Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Secretary (CPV&OIA) in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Israeli side headed by Alon Ushpiz, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel noted the helpful role of the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F) and the University Grants Commission (UGC)-Israel Science Foundation (ISF) Fund in facilitating joint academic and scientific research work.

The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

There was a discussion on respective national approaches to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing collaboration in medical and testing tools research.

In the course of Foreign Office Consultations, jointly developed Centres of Excellence in Agriculture, pilot project on water conservation in Bundelkhand region, and close collaboration between the Ahmedabad-based International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate) and Israel's Start-Up Nations Central (SNC) to provide incubation support for co-development of niche technologies came up for particular praise.

They agreed with the importance of continuing the upward momentum in the relationship through exchange of regular visits and consultations, and agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations at a mutually convenient date.