India Israel Relation
India Israel Relation
Ancient relations
• Geographical analysis of Israel suggests that the authors
of Old Testament were talking about India, where the trade
of animals such as monkeys and peacocks existed.
• The trade relations of both communities can be traced back
to 1,000 BCE and earlier to the time of the Indus valley
civilization of the Indian subcontinent and the Babylonian
culture of Middle East.
• A Buddhist story describes Indian merchants
visiting Baveru (Babylonia) and selling peacocks for public
display.
• Judea played a minor role in trade between the Roman
Empire and India during the period of Roman rule in Judea.
• It is known that there were expensive garments in the
Temple in Jerusalem imported from India via Alexandria.
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Trade Relation
• Bilateral trade between India and Israel grew from $200
million in 1992 to $5.84 billion in 2018.
• As of 2014, India is Israel's tenth-largest trade partner and
import source, and seventh-largest export source.
• India's major exports to Israel include precious stones and
metals, organic chemicals, electronic equipment, plastics,
vehicles, machinery, engines, pumps, clothing and textiles,
and medical and technical equipment.
• Israel's imports from India amounted to $2.3 billion or 3.2%
of its overall imports in 2014.
• Israel's major exports to India include precious stones and
metals, electronic equipment, fertilisers, machines, engines,
pumps, medical and technical equipment, organic and
inorganic chemicals, salt, sulphur, stone, cement, and
plastics.
• Israeli exports to India amounted to $2.2 billion or 3.2% of
its overall exports in 2014.
• The two countries have also signed a 'Double Taxation
Avoidance Agreement'.
• In 2007, Israel proposed starting negotiations on a free trade
agreement with India, and in 2010, then Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh accepted that proposal.
• The agreement is set to focus on many key economic
sectors, including information technology, biotechnology,
water management, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
Non-recognition 1948–50
•
India's position on the establishment of the State of Israel
was affected by many factors, including India's
own partition on religious lines, and India's relationship with
other nations.
•
Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi believed the
Jews had a good case and a prior claim for Israel, but
opposed the creation of Israel on
religious or mandated terms.
•
India voted against the Partitioning of Palestine plan of
1947 and voted against Israel's admission to the United
Nations in 1949.
•
Various proponents of Hindu nationalism supported or
sympathised with the creation of Israel.
•
Hindu Mahasabha leader Vinayak Damodar
Savarkar supported the creation of Israel on both moral and
political grounds, and condemned India's vote at the UN
against Israel.
•
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Madhav Sadashiv
Golwalkar admired Jewish nationalism and
believed Palestine was the natural territory of the Jewish
people, essential to their aspiration for nationhood.