New Delhi, August 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar on Friday highlighted six shared core values that he said make the relationship between India and Israel “very special and unique”, including civilisational resilience, the fight against terrorism, democracy, innovation, tolerance and inclusive development.
In a video message shared on X, Azar said the first common value was “civilizational resilience and national revival”, noting that both countries had faced attacks from foreign powers over centuries.
“Our identity was targeted, and there was, throughout history, an effort to try to strip us of our identity. But despite the ordeal that we had to pass through in modern millennia, we survived; our identity survived. And this is what we have in common,” he said.
The envoy identified the fight against terrorism as the second shared value. He said both countries faced the challenge of extremism, particularly what he described as “radical Islam”, and had worked together for decades to develop ways to address the threat.
Democratic values constituted the third commonality, Azar said, describing India as “the greatest democracy in the world”. He said freedom of speech, entrepreneurship and a free spirit strengthened both societies.
He listed innovation and competitiveness as the fourth shared value, arguing that economic prosperity required freedom and the ability to innovate. India and Israel, he said, had contributed to innovation and were working together to create a more competitive environment.
The fifth value, according to Azar, was tolerance and spiritual heritage. He described India and Israel as ancient civilisations with traditions of accepting others and allowing freedom of worship and religion.
“Jews have felt very comfortable in India for millennia. There was never antisemitism in this country,” Azar said, adding that the Jewish community’s presence in India formed part of the shared heritage between the two countries.
The envoy identified sustained and inclusive development as the sixth common value. He said both countries sought to ensure that people who were disadvantaged or faced physical or mental limitations could participate in economic activity.
Azar said India and Israel might have common interests with several countries, but the two nations also shared common values, making their relationship distinctive.
He stressed that both countries should focus on promoting these shared values through their cooperation.
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