Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Netanyahu hails new era in ties with India

Benjamin Netanyahu hailed a "new era" in ties with India on Monday as he signed a series of deals during the first visit by an Israeli Prime Minister in 15 years.

Netanyahu made the comment after talks with Narendra Modi, who made history in July when he became the first Indian leader ever to visit Israel.


He is accompanied by the largest-ever business delegation to travel with an Israeli leader, including technology, agriculture and defence executives.

The two men embraced warmly, appearing to overcome any tensions over India's refusal to support US moves to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, before signing agreements on cybersecurity and energy.

"We are ushering today a new era in our relations," Netanyahu said after their talks.

"We have had diplomatic relations for 25 years, but something different is happening now because of your leadership and our partnership."

Earlier, Netanyahu said he was "disappointed" by India's decision to vote for a resolution at the UN General Assembly opposing the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Israel is already a major weapons supplier to India, exporting $1 billion of military equipment annually.

Earlier this month India announced it would buy 131 surface-to-air missiles from Israel for its first domestically made aircraft carrier.

But New Delhi needs to balance closer ties with Israel with its historic support for the Palestinian cause.

Dozens gathered near the Israel embassy to protest at Netanyahu's visit on Monday.

Modi also wants to end India's status as the world's top defence importer and encourage foreign companies to transfer their technology to local firms to create much-needed jobs.

India has already cancelled a $500 million deal to buy Israeli Spike anti-tank missiles after apparently deciding to manufacture the equipment at home.

On Monday Modi said he had invited Israeli defence companies "to take advantage of the liberalised FDI (foreign direct investment) regime to make more in India with our companies".

Netanyahu is the first Israeli leader to visit India since Ariel Sharon's trip in 2003.

On Tuesday he will visit the Taj Mahal and travel to Modi's home state of Gujarat before heading to Mumbai where the majority of India's estimated 4,500 Jews live.

There, he will make an emotional visit to a Jewish centre targeted in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Netanyahu is accompanied by 11-year-old Moshe Holtzberg, whose parents were among 166 people killed by Pakistani militants in coordinated attacks on the city.

While in Mumbai he will also host a party for Bollywood producers where he will trumpet Israel as a filming location.

India said it was sending a delegation to Israel next month for talks on a free trade agreement.

The two countries have been negotiating the agreement since 2006 with a focus on information technology, biotechnology, and agriculture.

Trade between India and Israel rose to $5 billion in 2016–17 from $4.91 billion in the previous fiscal year.

More For You

marks & spencer

M&S has confirmed that its physical stores remain open and operational

Getty

Marks & Spencer suspends online shopping after cyber attack hits systems

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has paused all online orders following a significant cyber attack that has left the company working to restore its systems. The retailer confirmed the cyber incident earlier this week, after customers began experiencing issues with online services last weekend.

While some systems have been brought back online, others remain offline, forcing M&S to stop taking orders through its website and apps. This includes both food deliveries and clothing purchases. The company issued an apology for the inconvenience, acknowledging the disruption and stating that its team, supported by cyber experts, is working tirelessly to resolve the situation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pakistan airspace curbs push up costs for Indian airlines

FILE PHOTO: Passengers stand in a queue before entering the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. (Photo by SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan airspace curbs push up costs for Indian airlines

TOP Indian airlines Air India and IndiGo are bracing for higher fuel costs and longer journey times as they reroute international flights after Pakistan shut its airspace to them amid escalating tensions over a deadly militant attack in Kashmir.

India has said there were Pakistani elements in Tuesday's (22) attack in which gunmen shot and killed 26 men in a meadow in the Pahalgam area of Indian Kashmir. Pakistan has denied any involvement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Campbell Wilson

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson steps down as Air India Express chair

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson steps down as Air India Express chair

AIR INDIA CEO Campbell Wilson is stepping down as chair of Air India Express, the airline’s low-cost subsidiary. He will be replaced by Nipun Aggarwal, Air India’s chief commercial officer, according to an internal memo sent on Tuesday.

Wilson will also step down from the board of Air India Express. Basil Kwauk, Air India’s chief operating officer, will take his place.

Keep ReadingShow less
Air India eyes Boeing jets rejected by Chinese airlines: report

Tata-owned Air India is interested in purchasing jets that Chinese carriers can no longer accept (Photo credit: Air India)

Air India eyes Boeing jets rejected by Chinese airlines: report

AIR INDIA is seeking to acquire Boeing aircrafts originally destined for Chinese airlines, as escalating tariffs between Washington and Beijing disrupt planned deliveries, reported The Times.

The Tata-owned airline, currently working on its revival strategy, is interested in purchasing jets that Chinese carriers can no longer accept due to the recent trade dispute. According to reports, Tata is also keen to secure future delivery slots should they become available.

Keep ReadingShow less
Infosys forecasts lower annual growth after Trump tariffs cause global uncertainty

The IT service firm said its revenue would either stay flat or grow by up to three per cent

Getty Images

Infosys forecasts lower annual growth after Trump tariffs cause global uncertainty

INDIAN tech giant Infosys forecast muted annual revenue growth last Thursday (17) in an outlook that suggests clients might curtail tech spending because of growing global uncertainty.

The IT service firm said its revenue would either stay flat or grow by up to three per cent in the fiscal year through March 2026 on a constant currency basis. The sales forecast was lower than the 4.2 per cent constantcurrency revenue growth Infosys recorded in the previous financial year.

Keep ReadingShow less