A pan-Indian survey of Gen Z has highlighted a "perceptible recalibration in generational awareness", with young respondents considering Israel among the top five countries for diplomatic ties with India and the top three for defence cooperation, ahead of traditional allies such as the US and France, the India Israel Centre, a pro-Israel advocacy think tank, has claimed.
Recent cultural narratives, pop culture touchpoints and podcasts have begun highlighting Israel's role in providing emergency laser-guided munitions and surveillance support to the Indian armed forces, rapidly changing perceptions of India's time-tested allies, according to a statement by the India Israel Centre.
According to the survey, 52 per cent of respondents aged 18-29 considered India-Israel defence ties robust, placing Israel third alongside countries including Russia. France was slightly behind at 51 per cent, while the US stood at 46 per cent.
The survey also claimed that 41 per cent of respondents placed Israel among India's key diplomatic partners, ahead of the US at 39 per cent. The statement did not identify the other countries ranked above Israel in diplomatic and defence ties.
The findings, released on September 16, were based on a study conducted using AI platforms, the statement said.
A substantial portion of Gen Z was born after the 1999 Kargil conflict, and popular historical perceptions had largely associated India's defence legacy with support from powers such as Russia and the US, it said.
"However, recent cultural narratives, pop culture touchpoints and podcasts have begun bridging this knowledge gap by bringing to light Israel's critical role in delivering emergency laser-guided munitions and surveillance support to Indian armed forces during the war, rapidly altering youthful perceptions of who India's time-tested allies are," it added.
Defence and technological innovation were emerging as the main drivers of young Indians' perceptions of the bilateral relationship, the India Israel Centre said, adding that Israel recorded a five percentage-point increase in its defence rating from the previous year.
"The encouraging survey results are a powerful reflection of the deep-rooted trust and affection between the people of India and Israel," India Israel Centre spokesperson Suresh Nakhua said.
He said the findings also reflected "growing public awareness and appreciation" of the bilateral relationship.
The India Israel Centre said respondents aged 22-25 were the most receptive to stronger India-Israel cooperation, and claimed there had been a fourfold increase in respondents advocating substantially stronger future bilateral ties.
(With inputs from PTI)
