Amir Baram (L) & RK Singh (R).
India and Israel Reaffirm Strategic Defence Cooperation in High-Level Bilateral Meeting: New Delhi, July 23, 2025 – In a significant boost to strategic ties, India and Israel have agreed to strengthen long-term defence cooperation during a high-level bilateral meeting held in New Delhi on July 23, 2025. The talks were led by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Amir Baram, Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Defence, underscoring the growing synergy between the two nations in security, defence technology, and counter-terrorism efforts.
Held against the backdrop of evolving regional and global security dynamics, the meeting served as a reaffirmation of both countries’ commitment to deepen their defence relationship through a structured and institutional framework.
Strengthening Defence Ties with a Long-Term Vision
Both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress in bilateral defence engagements and reiterated their intention to expand collaboration across critical areas such as joint research and development, technology transfer, defence manufacturing, and training exchanges.
“A shared commitment to innovation, strategic autonomy, and regional stability underpins this partnership,” said a senior defence official following the meeting. “The discussions focused on creating a robust framework for sustained cooperation in emerging domains such as cyber defence, artificial intelligence, and unmanned systems.”
The two defence leaders agreed to develop an institutional architecture that would not only streamline existing collaborations but also serve as a platform for scaling up future projects. This move is expected to facilitate more seamless coordination between defence industries, armed forces, and research institutions in both countries.
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Rajesh K Singh held crucial meeting with Israel MoD’s DG Amir Baram in New Delhi. 23.07.2025.
United Front Against Terrorism
A poignant moment in the meeting came as Major General Amir Baram condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, offering Israel’s full solidarity and support to India’s ongoing fight against terrorism.
In response, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh reaffirmed India’s “zero tolerance” approach to terrorism and condemned the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel, which had resulted in widespread global condemnation. He also expressed India’s concern over the humanitarian situation and called for the immediate release of hostages held since the attacks.
The strong statements by both sides reflect their shared values and long-standing cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and homeland security.
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Reviewing Ongoing Defence Collaboration
During the meeting, the two sides also reviewed the status of projects and initiatives discussed at the Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting held in July 2024 in India. The JWG — the apex forum for defence cooperation between the two nations — had set in motion several new collaborations in the fields of drone warfare, missile systems, and battlefield surveillance technologies.
According to sources within the Defence Ministry, progress on co-development projects under India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives was also assessed, with both nations reaffirming their intent to localize production and strengthen industrial linkages.
India is among the largest buyers of Israeli defence equipment, ranging from air defence systems like Barak-8 to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), surveillance systems, and precision-guided munitions. With shared strategic concerns and a mutual focus on indigenous development, the trajectory of the India-Israel defence partnership continues to ascend.
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A Pivotal Moment – Major General Amir Baram’s India Visit
This visit by Major General Amir Baram is seen as a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of India-Israel defence ties. As a decorated former commander in the Israel Defense Forces, Baram’s presence in New Delhi signals the high priority Israel places on its relationship with India.
Defence analysts note that the timing of the visit — amid geopolitical shifts in West Asia and South Asia — underscores the growing relevance of this partnership in shaping regional security frameworks.
“This visit reinforces the strategic convergence between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. Whether in the Indo-Pacific or the Middle East, both countries are looking to leverage their technological edge and shared values to ensure security and stability,” said a senior analyst at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA).
As both nations navigate complex regional threats and pursue strategic autonomy, the institutionalization of their defence partnership is expected to open new frontiers — including cybersecurity, space defence, and joint innovation ecosystems.
With continued momentum from high-level engagements and sustained trust at the operational level, the India-Israel defence partnership appears poised to not just endure but thrive in the decades ahead.
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