Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar on Tuesday, 26 May outlined six core values that he said form the bedrock of the India-Israel bilateral relationship, describing the partnership as “very special and very unique.” Speaking through a video message posted on X, Azar identified civilisational resilience, counter-terrorism cooperation, democratic norms, innovation, religious tolerance, and inclusive development as the pillars binding the two nations.

Civilisational Resilience and Shared History

Azar opened by drawing a direct parallel between the historical experiences of both civilisations. “For centuries, our civilisations were attacked by foreign powers, our identity was targeted, and there was, throughout history, an effort to try to strip us of our identity,” he said. Despite enduring those ordeals “for more than a millennia,” both nations survived with their identities intact — a commonality he described as foundational to the modern relationship.

Counter-Terrorism and the Fight Against Extremism

The second pillar, according to Azar, is the joint effort against terrorism, particularly the threat posed by radical extremism. “We are facing a wave of extremism around the world, especially coming from radical Islam, that is threatening our country and threatening the existence of our country,” he stated, adding that India and Israel have “worked together for decades” to develop the necessary capabilities to address this shared threat.

Democracy, Innovation, and Economic Competitiveness

Calling India the “greatest democracy” in the world, Azar cited freedom of speech and freedom of entrepreneurship as expressions of a shared democratic spirit. On the fourth pillar, he emphasised that both countries have been “a source of innovation,” and are working together to build a more competitive environment for shared prosperity. Notably, defence technology and agricultural innovation have historically been among the most active areas of India-Israel cooperation since the two countries established full diplomatic relations in 1992.

Religious Tolerance and Absence of Anti-Semitism

Azar highlighted India’s centuries-long tradition of accepting Jewish communities as a distinguishing feature of the relationship. “Jews have felt very comfortable in India for millennia. There was never antisemitism in this country,” he said, framing religious tolerance as the fifth core value. This comes amid a broader global conversation about rising anti-Semitism in several Western democracies, making India’s historical record on this front particularly significant.

Inclusive Development as the Sixth Pillar

The final value, Azar said, is a commitment to ensuring that economic growth reaches the underprivileged, those lacking opportunities, and those facing physical or mental challenges. He concluded by urging both sides to move beyond rhetoric: “This requires not only more thinking, but also investment in putting content into the realisation of the values.” The remarks signal a push to translate shared principles into concrete bilateral programmes and investment frameworks in the period ahead.