Israel's Consul General to Midwest India, Yaniv Revach, on Thursday reaffirmed Israel's unwavering support for India in the fight against terrorism on the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, warning that perpetrators of terror "must know that their actions won't go unpunished." Speaking to IANS from Mumbai, the Israeli diplomat underscored the depth of bilateral defence cooperation and called for its further expansion under India's 'Make in India' vision.

Israel's Stand on Operation Sindoor

Revach said Israel was proud of its defence partnership with India and the role it played in bolstering Indian military capabilities during the operation. "Israel is proud of its association with the Indian armed forces, building offensive and defensive capabilities that outperformed during Operation Sindoor," he said. The envoy added that Israel "will definitely stand by India when it comes to fighting against terrorism," framing the two nations' shared experience of combating non-state armed groups as a key pillar of the relationship.

Defence Cooperation and the Make in India Push

Highlighting growing bilateral defence ties, Revach pointed to discussions held during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Israel as a turning point. Both governments are reportedly keen to deepen cooperation further, including joint manufacturing under the Make in India initiative. "We hope to see even more cooperation in the future, including under the vision of 'Make in India' here in India," Revach said. He also referenced the deployment of the Iron Dome system in the UAE during the recent conflict with Iran, noting that expanded defence collaboration between India and Israel remained high on the bilateral agenda.

Israeli and Indian Firms: A Growing Economic Partnership

Beyond defence, Revach pointed to deepening collaboration between Israeli and Indian companies across sectors including security, water management, and cyber technology. "Since both countries share the same values, cooperation in the economic and defence fields is fantastic for both sides," he said. This commercial dimension, analysts note, gives the partnership a structural durability that goes beyond government-to-government agreements.

Strait of Hormuz and Regional Stability

On the geopolitical situation in West Asia, Revach issued a pointed warning about any disruption to global trade and energy routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. "Any attempt by Iran to block it threatens not only the Gulf states or Israel, but also the global economy, oil supply and international stability," he said. He stressed that India, as a country heavily dependent on stable energy supplies and free trade, had a direct stake in ensuring freedom of navigation. "The world must understand that we cannot accept the use of international trade routes as political blackmail," Revach added.

Iran, Hezbollah, and US-Israel Ties

Defending Israel's military actions against Iran and Hezbollah, Revach said Israel was exercising its right to self-defence after years of Iranian proxy funding aimed at encircling the country. He also highlighted the significance of Israel's recently approved acquisition of advanced fighter jets from the United States, saying the aircraft would give Israel "better defence capabilities, longer operational range and advanced technology." On US-Israel relations, Revach described the bond as "special and strong," citing joint airstrikes, Air Force cooperation, and intelligence sharing during the Iran conflict. He noted that close ties between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had proven "highly effective during this conflict."

As the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor marks a moment of reflection on India's counter-terrorism posture, the Israeli envoy's remarks signal that New Delhi can expect Jerusalem to remain a committed strategic partner in the months ahead.