Mr. Lior Weintraub Spokesperson, Embassy of Israel, New Delhi

Q: What is the state of Indo-Israeli diplomatic ties today? Media reports indicate that the defence trade between the two countries has touched nearly US$5 billion, could you elaborate on this relationship?

A: While much of the Defense information is not made publicly available, diplomatic ties between India and Israel can be described as robust in many aspects: Trade, Science, Academia, Cultural and people to people contact etc. Even if we do not take into account that bilateral relations between the two countries only began fifteen years ago, the relations between the two countries are very good.

Indo-Israeli defence ties have grown beyond a buyer-seller relationship; this is a partnership which is based on trust and good friendship.

Relations between India and Israel are very good. The progress made in the relationship between the two countries is impressive, and has grown rapidly. There however remain a number of areas where these relations can be further boosted.

For example, the level of trade between the two countries should double in the next three years, and it is hoped that an eventual Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries is signed at the earliest.

Q: Israel has not been very favorably looked at by a number of Indians, who view Zionism to be a form of colonialism, and the Israeli state as an Imperialist power. In this regard, how does Israel seek to improve people to people contact in India?

A: There exist different layers of people to people relations. The Israeli embassy was opened in India, only in 1992. There are a number of Israeli tourists who come to India, and are welcomed warmly in India.

I have personally felt that the public in India has a very favorable approach towards Israel and Israelis. I have been approached by shop owners and neighbors who expressed their appreciation for Israeli help during Kargil war, and also for the good co-operation in trade, defense, agriculture, science, culture. Mashav (Israeli department for international cooperation), has held workshops and courses in various fields such as trauma treatment, drip irrigation, dairy farms, etc in India. A BBC world survey reported that Israel has a great image among Indians and we are happy about it.

We must not forget that the Israeli narrative only exists here for 15 years in comparison to opposite narratives.

People are increasingly realizing that Israel is a friend of India, and it is working towards helping India.

In Rajasthan, for example, Israel has been working to develop olive orchards and implement the drip irrigation system which has been pioneered by Israel. There exist a number of Non-Governmental Organizations in Israel who have worked in collaboration with groups in India.

On the Economic sphere, there is a lot of interest on both sides and we get a lot of request from Indian entrepreneurs to help them find Israeli partners. There exists strong private sector cooperation between the two countries, which has further developed people friendly contacts. For example, an Israeli Pharmaceutical company 'Taro', was brought by an Indian conglomerate -Sun.

India and Israel have also developed academic contacts between the two countries, to boost people to people contact.

Israeli tourists are welcomed with open arms in India, and we extend the same to Indians who wish to visit Israel. Israel and India are very similar, because of the ancientness of the civilizations and the religions.

India's culture is very much appreciated in Israel, and as a result nearly fifty thousand Israeli tourists arrive in India every year. In Manila, alone for example, the number of Israeli tourists is double than the total of all other nationalities. They come here because they admire the Indian idÃ