NEW DELHI: Visiting Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon on Thursday offered all help and technology to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ scheme a grand success.
Ya’alon, the first Defence Minister from the Jewish state to arrive here on an official visit, called on the PM. And he expressed optimism that the latter’s vision of making India a global manufacturing hub would succeed. “We both are democracies and share common aims and interests. We have found a way to cooperate behind the scenes when it comes to security and defence, and research and development. And now, with Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, we are finding a way to enhance the cooperation between the two countries,” Ya’alon said while delivering R K Mishra Memorial Lecture here.
“We believe that our relationship is strong as it is based on shared common values. I am quite optimistic about the prospect of implementing PM Modi’s vision in all its elements, but under my responsibility, in the security and defence sectors for the benefit of both the countries,” he added.
Ya’alon said Israel could cooperate closely in the defence and security sector through flexible technology transfer. “Sky is the limit”, he said. “The fact is that Israel is not allowed to enhance its security relationship with China because of the US. [However] We are ready to share our experiences and technologies with India. We view India as a partner and a friend,” he said.