New Delhi, August 21: Reuven Azar, the Israeli Ambassador to India, highlighted six fundamental values that enhance the relationship between India and Israel. These values were mentioned while sharing a post about the courtesy meeting between newly appointed Israeli Ambassador Panina Tamano-Shata and her Indian counterpart, Ravi Shankar.
In a video message, Azar stated, “The relationship between India and Israel is exceptionally unique. Upon reflection, I concluded that it is based on six core shared values.”
The first value he mentioned is civilizational resilience and national renaissance. Azar explained, “For centuries, our civilizations faced attacks from foreign powers. Our identities were targeted, and throughout various historical periods, attempts were made to strip us of our identity. Despite the hardships endured over thousands of years, we have survived, and our identity remains intact. This is what connects India and Israel. We are both modern nations revitalizing and strengthening our individual and national identities.”
He then spoke about the value that empowers both nations to stand firm against terrorism. Azar noted that the world is currently facing a wave of extremism, particularly radical Islamic terrorism, which poses a threat to both countries and, in Israel’s case, challenges its very existence. For decades, Israel and India have collaborated to develop the necessary capabilities and resources to combat this threat.
Azar also emphasized democratic values, stating, “We are both democratic countries. India is the world’s largest democracy, and the spirit of democracy, freedom of expression, entrepreneurship, and independent thought is deeply embedded in our systems. These values strengthen our societies.”
He further highlighted the fourth important value: innovation and competitiveness. He remarked, “We all understand that freedom alone is not enough to achieve the quality of life we desire. We also need the capacity to innovate and improve the world. Both Israel and India have been significant centers of innovation, working together to create a more competitive environment that can make our countries stronger and more prosperous.”
The fifth value he mentioned is tolerance and spiritual heritage, while the sixth and final value is continuous and inclusive development. According to him, this fifth value is a crucial part of our rich tradition of accepting others. He noted, “The Jewish community has lived peacefully and comfortably in India for centuries. There has never been anti-Semitism in this country. This shared heritage is not only due to the Jewish communities that have resided here for centuries but also because both countries have a tradition of respecting the acceptance of other religions, freedom of worship, and religious liberty.”
Regarding the sixth and final value, Azar emphasized the ongoing effort to ensure that those who are marginalized due to lack of opportunities, separation, or physical or mental disabilities are equally included in the economy and society. Israel has made significant strides in this area, particularly in accessibility and inclusion, and this is becoming an important and growing priority in India as well.
In conclusion, the Israeli Ambassador stated, “Overall, these six pillars and values make India-Israel relations so special. While we may share common interests with many other countries, it is not necessary that we share the same values. Israel shares these fundamental values with India. Therefore, it is crucial that we focus on promoting these shared values through collaboration. This requires not only more dialogue and discussions but also investment to translate these shared values into concrete initiatives and meaningful outcomes.”
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