Jaishankar asks Israeli diplomats to keep up ‘forward and upward trajectory’ in bilateral ties

Jerusalem:  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday told Israeli diplomats to understand the “profound changes” underway in India post-COVID-19 pandemic and utilise the fundamental and deep comfort enjoyed by the two sides to further the “forward and upward trajectory” in bilateral ties.  Jaishankar, who was invited by his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi to address the conference of Israeli Heads of Missions in the Asia-Pacific region as a guest of honour and to share his perspective of the developments shaping the world, spoke about the contemporary global situation, India’s foreign policy outlook, the Indo-Pacific and India-Israeli cooperation.
“India is right now going through profound changes,” the minister said while speaking via video link.
He highlighted the major reforms underway in India in the field of agriculture, labour, manufacturing, and education, demonstrating the Indian government’s will to come out of the challenges of 2020 with a positive mind rather than starting on a defensive note.
He asked the Israeli diplomats to utilise the fundamental and deep comfort enjoyed by the two sides to further the “forward and upward trajectory” in bilateral relations.  Recalling the days when Indian and Israeli officials would meet at foreign destinations before diplomatic relations were established in 1992, Jaishankar emphasised that the “relationship finally enjoys the stature and visibility it deserves” which is based on “deep societal contacts”.