H.E, Mr Naor Gilon - Ambassador of Israel to India 

 

Israel and India, two close friends and ancient civilizations, are celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations. This is a special milestone for both countries, whose growing partnership over the years has developed into a multifaceted strategic partnership. The two nations are continuing to form significant collaborations and partnerships in different fields, most significantly in innovation and technology, to solve a range of global issues.

From Delhi to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv to Mumbai, Be’er Sheva to Bengaluru, we are growing together and merging our technological capabilities to reach new heights. Israel and India are working on several levels simultaneously: our governments continue to cooperate and support the vibrant start-up scene in both countries, and our industries and private sectors are sharing their experiences and working on the ground together.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 global pandemic, our countries have come together on a number of joint ventures. Israel has contributed state-of-the-art AI-based technologies and medical equipment to hospitals across India. These technologies include advanced medical management systems and AI-based solutions that can help medical teams perform various tasks remotely. 

In 2020, Israel’s Start-Up Nation Central and India’s iCreate joined hands to bring together Israeli and Indian start-ups and entrepreneurs. This important partnership accelerated innovation and technology cooperation between both sides.

There are many Israeli companies that are providing cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to vast projects in different Indian cities. Similarly, Israel has been an ideal place for Indian companies and entrepreneurs, who are interested in finding partnerships with Israeli start-ups or R&D centres. 

To further encourage industrial R&D projects, the Governments of the two countries have created the India–Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F). This is significant because Israeli and Indian technologies matched with India’s manufacturing capabilities can provide innovative solutions contributing to the economies of both countries.

Israel is known as the Start-up Nation for many reasons. The Israeli Start-Up ecosystem is a greenhouse of creativity and innovation which stands upon foundations of education, industry, private sector, governmental support, finance and R&D. Israel did not always have this ecosystem, and the start-up scene is still driven by what originally initiated it: the “Israeli way”. The Israeli way means ingenuity, creativity, ambition, eagerness, doing more, not being afraid of failure, being driven by necessity, looking forward into the future with optimism, faith and a will to learn and adapt.

Israel is keen on partnering with the developing Indian ecosystem which has become a leader in the field. As I often say, we are two old nations in young countries, rich with history, culture and diversity, creatively overcoming challenges and eager to meet the future. The more bridges we can create between India and Israel and their two ecosystems, the more we will enrich each other to benefit not only one another but the entire world as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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