Describing India as one of Israel’s “most important partners,” newly appointed Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar underlined that Israel is keen to involve India in its plans to construct a 100-kilometer metro system in Tel Aviv.
During an interview with The Indian Express, Azar hinted that India’s involvement would be instrumental in attracting international companies capable of delivering high-quality and cost-effective solutions for the project.
“We want to build a 100-km metro system in the Tel Aviv area, we want to attract international companies that have the capabilities of both supplying qualitative performance and also at a cheap price. India is an excellent partner, because a thousand kilometres of metro is being built, apart from roads, airports and ports,” he said.
First Request
This move marks Israel’s first request for New Delhi’s assistance in the construction sector, a step taken after the Hamas attack last October and subsequent ban on Palestinian workers. Regarding the skills mismatch among Indian construction workers in Israel, Azar acknowledged initial issues but assured that both governments are working to resolve them.
“When we talk about infrastructure, if we manage to bring Indian infrastructure companies to Israel, they can come with a workforce that is skilled. With China, we have done similar infrastructure projects in Israel, where they brought their skilled labour,” he said.
He noted India’s growing role in West Asia, noting its potential to enhance regional stability and prosperity through investments and infrastructure projects. Azar also addressed the broader scope of Israel-India collaboration, which spans defense, security, agriculture, and technology. He pointed out that future cooperation will be crucial in areas like semiconductors and cyber security.
Gaza War
On the Gaza war, Azar described the October 7 attack as a culmination of long-standing regional tensions, particularly involving Iranian-backed groups. He reiterated Israel’s goal to diminish Hamas’ military threat and secure the release of hostages while adhering to international law.
In discussing the potential for India’s involvement in the Gaza conflict resolution, Azar said that Delhi’s increasing influence and investments in West Asia align with the shared goal of creating a corridor of stability and prosperity. He said it is up to India to decide how involved it wants to be in resolving the Gaza conflict.
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