India-Israel to develop rapid test kits, co-operate on COVID-19 vaccine research

India and Israel have come toger to develop rapid test kits and cooperate on vaccine research, Ministry of External Affairs informed on Monday, vember 23. two countries also discussed scope for high-tech collaboration in defence and cooperation to fight cybercrimes during virtual 13th India-Israel Forum.

"With unprecedented disruption of COVID-19 pandemic, India and Israel joined hands to develop rapid test kits and cooperated on vaccine research. scope for high-tech collaboration has grown in defence, under Make in India, and cooperation to combat cybercrimes has become more important," said Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Secretary (CPV, OIA & Arab), Ministry of External Affairs while dressing Forum.

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India-Israel projects can le way to combat terrorism

ministry furr said as two countries face threat of terrorists in an era where techlogy dominates, India-Israel projects can le way, t only bilaterally but in securing new markets globally. shared vision hopes for regional peace and stability, ecomic growth, and engment consistent with development priorities, collaboration in resources and techlogies, and efforts for a reformed and responsible multilateral system. se form important pillars of a future-oriented strategic engment, MEA statement furr said.

"We call this region our extended neighbourhood, an indication of cultural affection and policy priority. We saw unprecedented positive momentum in our ties with countries in this region, in recent deces. We forged several strategic partnerships, including with Israel. region is central to our ecomic and security interests and important for our role in a globalised world and reformed multilateralism," MEA official statement re.

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India-Israel relations 

According to officials, recent reconciliation between Arab states and Israel leing to rmalisation of relations could improve prospects for a brighter future for region. Meanwhile, India-Israel relations flourished after former established full diplomatic relations in 2017 with Middle East power. establishment of a strategic partnership in 2017 was t a mere declaration of intent but an enumeration of true and special character of relations, ministry said while ding that two countries today are embarked on exploring newer prospects of co-operation.

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(With ANI inputs)