Israel's Consul General in Mumbai, Yaniv Revach, on Tuesday called for strengthening the national identities of India and Israel, warning that "extreme Left and Marxist forces" could seek to undermine their shared values.
He said both countries faced challenges similar to those confronting Europe, where external forces were allegedly attempting to destabilise societies, and stressed the need for India and Israel to work together to safeguard their cultural heritage and values.
Revach was invited as a guest at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)'s annual Vijayadashmi programme in Nagpur on Tuesday.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the event, Revach said that he was very excited to attend the RSS' Vijayadashmi event, calling it a "very important and unique experience" for him.
Revach said he held talks with RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday.
"We understand that both countries -- India and Israel -- we not only share the same values, but unfortunately share the same challenges," he said.
Referring to Bhagwat's speech in which he stressed the need to work with the young generation and connect the youth to the roots, heritage, culture and history of India, while also taking into account future and technology, Revach said, "That is exactly the same thing that we do in Israel.
"I think we should work together to see how we can actually strengthen the ties between Israel and India, not only at the government level but also (at the) people-to-people (level)," he said.
Revach also referred to Bhagwat's speech in which he called for strengthening one's identity and values.
"Dr Mohanji also mentioned in his speech today something very important, that if we don't protect our identity and our values -- we see exactly what's happening now in Europe when other external forces are trying to destabilise it, which we also see in India and Israel. So we need to continue strengthening our identity in order to make sure that those extreme Left and Marxist forces won't try to destabilise our values," he said.
The Consul General of Israel to Midwest India said Bhagwat also talked about Captain Smit Machchhar, who was attacked by his co-pilot and seriously injured in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30 while it was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
"Captain Smit grew up here in India, and the values and morals in India are one of the reasons that he saved so many people," he said.
Despite being severely injured, Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers to overpower the attacker.
(With Inputs From PTI)