India more than good friend, a trusted strategic partner: Israeli minister
Tel Aviv (PTI): At a function marking India's 77th Republic Day, Israel's Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar said his country attaches utmost importance to its ties with New Delhi, describing India as a strategic partner.
Zohar on Monday told the gathering that India’s Republic Day celebrations had also become a special day for Israelis, as Israel announced recovering the remains of the last hostage in Gaza from the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
"Today is also a special day for us. Our last hostage, Ran Gvili, came back home. This is something that all of the country is so happy about and it comes with your special day. I think it means a lot about the great relationship between the countries. Your happiness is also our happiness," the Israeli minister said.
In a dastardly terror attack, Hamas killed about 1,200 Israelis and took 251 living and dead people as hostages on October 7, 2023.
"India is a nation with a story of freedom, resilience, and spirit that inspires so many Israelis. For us, Israelis, India is far more than a good friend. India is a strategic partner that we can trust," Zohar told the gathering of about three hundred people.
"India and Israel share today a lot in common, also common interests, and similar visions for the future. Over the years, the relationship between our two nations has grown broader, deeper and more dynamic," he said.
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Referring to "the constant flow" of high-level visits between Jerusalem and New Delhi, the Israeli minister said that it is not merely a diplomatic routine, but a "reflection of the close ties between us and the importance we attach to our ties at the highest levels".
Israeli Minister of Tourism Haim Katz, Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited India last year as the strategic partners build up momentum to sign a Free Trade Agreement.
The two countries signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) during Smotrich’s visit and then a Terms of Reference (TOR) leading to FTA during the visit of Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to Israel.
Goyal's visit was followed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh's visit to Israel in quick succession.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at a visit at the prime ministerial level "very soon", demonstrating the growing engagement between the two countries.
Speaking after the screening of a video showing some of the major developments between the two sides on the bilateral front, Zohar also pointed out the close chemistry between Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a contributing factor in the strengthening of ties.
"We saw the pictures of Prime Minister Netanyahu and Modi, and we can see the friendship (between them), and I know that of course this relation helped a lot the relation between our nations," he said.
The personal equation between the two leaders has been a subject of widespread discussion in Israel, and a picture of the two of them walking on the beach barefoot during Modi's historic visit to Israel in 2017 had gone viral, evoking comments of "bromance".
"These exchanges have made cooperation stronger across a wide range of fields from innovation, defence, agriculture and water management to science, health and emerging technologies," Zohar said.
He also appreciated the expansion of direct Air India flights between Tel Aviv and New Delhi, describing it as a factor that adds "depth and vitality" in bilateral relations.
"The expansion of direct flights between Israel and India has brought our people closer than ever before. It is wonderful for tourism, business relations, academic exchanges and cultural dialogues. It gives our partnership its true depth and vitality," he said.
"A key milestone in our relationship has been the adoption of the joint action plan for 2026, which stands as a testimony of the solid foundation and vision that we share together.
"It shows not only what we have achieved together but our shared commitment to working side by side to meet future challenges and (create) new opportunities. It is a road map guided by trust, ambition and a belief in the power of collaboration as we look ahead," he said, touching upon ongoing discussions between the two sides.
"Israel sees India as a great partner in shaping our future together for the benefit of our peoples and the wider international community," he added.
Zohar also thanked India for its steadfast support following Hamas' October 7 attack.
"Before I finish my speech, I will say a few words from the bottom of my heart. India supported Israel during the time of the massacre of October 7, and Israel will appreciate that forever because on that day we saw other opinions of different countries, but India stood with Israel," he said.
"It was important to us so much because Israel, as a country, pursued peace. We didn't want war but we showed the world that we can fight and we can win. We didn't start this war and we didn't want this war. We had to defend ourselves and this is what we will do," he said.
"We can see that the Middle East is changing right now because we say 'no' to terror and I am sure that all of the free world will join this important opinion," he added.
Modi was among the first world leaders to condemn the Hamas attack.
"On this special day, I wish the people of India peace, prosperity and success. May the friendship between Israel and India continue to grow from strength to strength in the years to come," Zohar said.
People from the Indian community and Jews of Indian origin attended a programme on Monday morning in Herzliya, where India's Ambassador to Israel J P Singh unfurled the national flag and read excerpts from President Draupadi Murmu's speech.
In the evening, Singh touched upon various developments on the bilateral front and also applauded the important contribution made by the Indian Jewish community in Israel in strengthening bilateral ties, serving as a bridge between the two countries.
The evening event showcased the ‘One District - One Product’ exhibition, and also featured cultural performances by Indian and Israeli artists, reflecting the richness of India’s heritage.
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Lost a good friend; void cannot be filled: Fadnavis mourns Ajit Pawar’s passing
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday described Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s tragic death in a plane crash as unbelievable, and said he had lost a good friend.
Fadnavis said “today” (January 28) will be a government holiday and there will be a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Pawar.
Ajit Pawar’s death has left a void that will never be filled, he said. “After working closely together, it is unbelievable that he is no more,” Fadnavis said.
Talking to reporters, Fadnavis described Pawar as a people’s leader who knew the state well and had a deep understanding of the issues in Maharashtra. He said it takes several years to build and establish such leadership.
Fadnavis said he had apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the tragedy. The CM said he had also spoken with Ajit Pawar’s cousin Supriya Sule and his son Parth Pawar.
“Both (Deputy CM) Eknath Shinde and I are leaving for Baramati now. Once their entire family gathers in Baramati, we will share further details,” he said.
The entire state stands by Pawar’s family and his party NCP in this hour of grief, he added.
Ajit Pawar, 66, and four other persons were killed after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Wednesday morning, officials said. The incident occurred when the plane carrying Pawar and others landed near Baramati, they said.
Several state BJP leaders, including Ashish Shelar, Ravindra Chavan and Chandrashekhar Bawankule, expressed deep grief over Pawar’s passing.
“This heart-wrenching incident has left the mind numb. Maharashtra has lost an experienced, dutiful and resolute leader,” state minister Shelar said.
Pawar left a distinct imprint on the state’s politics through his strong grip over administration, decisiveness and relentless drive for Maharashtra’s all-round progress. “Firmness, discipline, punctuality and tireless dedication were defining aspects of his personality,” he said.
BJP state president Ravindra Chavan said Maharashtra’s politics was unimaginable without Pawar. He said Pawar was known as a dynamic leader with a powerful command over administration and an unwavering focus on the state’s comprehensive development.
He said Pawar held the record for serving the longest tenure as deputy CM in the state’s history and left an indelible mark while handling key portfolios such as irrigation, energy and finance. “With his passing, Maharashtra has lost a firm, disciplined, punctual and indefatigable leader. This void can never be filled,” Chavan said.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule described Pawar as a senior friend and guide. “Even now, it is difficult to accept that this tragedy has really happened,” he said. Pawar would be remembered as a true people’s leader who gave clear direction and unstoppable momentum to Maharashtra’s all-round development, Bawankule said.
Recalling Pawar’s immense administrative experience, Bawankule said he had personally sought the NCP leader’s advice on several occasions.
“The loss of Ajitdada is not merely the departure of one leader; it is a profound loss for Maharashtra itself. The nation has lost a visionary statesman, and I have lost a dear elder friend and guide,” Bawankule said, adding that the reality of Pawar no longer being among them felt impossible to accept.
VIDEO | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis expresses grief over the demise of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in an aircraft crash. He says, “This morning, a very tragic incident occurred. In extremely unforeseen circumstances, the news of the unfortunate demise of our state’s deputy chief… pic.twitter.com/sKIKJ5FvRW
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 28, 2026
