Following the deadly car blast near Delhi's Red Fort on Monday evening, which claimed at least eight lives and left several others injured, Israel has reaffirmed its unwavering solidarity with India in the face of terrorism.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed his condolences to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India, emphasizing the shared values and resilience of both nations. "To our dear friend Narendra Modi and to the brave people of India: Sara and I, and the people of Israel, send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims," Netanyahu stated. He further declared that "Terror may strike our cities, but it will never shake our souls. The light of our nations will outshine the darkness of our enemies".
Echoing Prime Minister Netanyahu's sentiments, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also expressed his condolences and reiterated Israel's support for India's fight against terrorism. "I extend my & Israel's deepest condolences to the People of India and especially to the families of the innocent victims killed in the blast at the heart of Delhi," Sa'ar stated. "Israel stands with India in its fight against terror," he added.
The Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, described the attack as "heartbreaking," and praised the swift response of rescuers and security forces. "Heartbreaking scenes in Delhi following the car blast, resulting in so many dead and injured," Azar posted on X. "Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Wishing speedy recovery to those who survived".
Initial investigations suggest the terror plot was orchestrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based terrorist group, with the aim of targeting multiple high-profile locations in Delhi. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
The strong show of support from Israel underscores the strategic partnership and growing relationship between the two countries. India and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1992, and since then, their cooperation has expanded across various sectors, including defense, agriculture, technology, and counter-terrorism.
In recent years, India and Israel have deepened their collaboration in counter-terrorism efforts, including intelligence sharing and joint military training. Both countries recognize the threat posed by radical terrorism and have vowed to work together to combat it.
Sa'ar, during a recent visit to India on November 3rd, thanked India for its "strong solidarity" with Israel, noting that Prime Minister Modi was among the first to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. "India is a global superpower. And Israel is a regional powerhouse. Our nations already share a warm friendship. Our goal is to build a long-term strategic partnership between Israel and India," Sa'ar stated. "Radical terror is a mutual threat to Israel and India," he added.
The relationship between India and Israel has grown significantly, particularly since 2014. In 2017, Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. Bilateral trade has also increased substantially, with India being Israel's second-largest trading partner in Asia.
