India, Israel talk security issues; Israel thanks India for ‘friendship and support’

Israel on Monday (January 29) expressed its gratitude towards India for its “friendship and support” and discussed regional security threats, including the security of shipping and regional projects which connect India with the Middle East.

“Had a good conversation today with Indian foreign minister @DrSJaishankar in which I expressed my gratitude for his friendship and support of Israel”, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

“We discussed regional security threats including security of shipping and regional projects which connect India with the Middle East,” Katz said in the post.

Gaza part of talks

It is understood that the two ministers deliberated on the situation in Gaza, as well as security concerns arising out of Houthi militants targeting various commercial cargo vessels in the Red Sea.

“Good to talk to Israeli FM @Israel_katz. Discussed the ongoing situation in West Asia. Spoke about India’s views, assessments and interests in that regard. Agreed to stay in touch,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Freedom of navigation in international waters has been a major concern in the region with Iran-backed Houthis disrupting shipping lines, causing major economic concerns raising prices of essential items and also threatening regional peace.

The continued attacks will also adversely impact the plans for an India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project unveiled by world leaders at the G20 summit in September, seen by many as a counter to China’s Belt Road Initiative.

“I also stressed the importance of returning our abductees. I invited His Excellency to visit Israel to continue our good talk”, the Israeli foreign minister wrote.

Freedom of navigation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had in November also spoken with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi regarding securing freedom of navigation in international waters and prevention of disruption in global economic activities.

“The two leaders had discussed the importance of securing freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb, which is threatened by the aggression of the Houthis, instigated by Iran, and the global interest in preventing attacks on the global economy and trade, as well as the Indian and Israeli economies”, a statement from the Israeli PMO had then said.

Modi is said to have Indian noted that “freedom of navigation is an essential global necessity that must be ensured”.

Netanyahu had also thanked Modi for “India’s support of Israel’s just war to eliminate the Hamas terrorist organisation”.

(With agency inputs)