Jaishankar holds bilateral talks with Israel Foreign Minister Eli Cohen

Jaishankar and his Israeli counterpart also discussed high-tech, digital, and innovation collaboration, as well as connectivity, mobility, tourism, finance, and health. They also took note of the progress in I2U2 and multilateral cooperation. India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States comprise I2U2. The two leaders also discussed their respective regions, Ukraine and the Asia-Pacific, and signed a mobility agreement.

Jaishankar tweeted, “Discussed cooperation in high tech, digital & innovation, as also connectivity, mobility tourism, finance, and health. Noted the progress in I2U2 and cooperation in multilateral forums. Exchanged perspectives on our respective regions, Ukraine and Indo-Pacific. Initialed an agreement in the area of mobility.”

Meanwhile, Cohen took to Twitter to post “Excellent meeting with the Foreign Minister of India – @DrSJaishankar We are strengthening ties with the most populous country in the world, and expanding cooperation in the fields of cyber, agriculture and water. Our cooperation will strengthen Israel’s position in the world and stability in the Middle East.”

Cohen arrived in India today for his first official visit, which was scheduled to last three days beginning Tuesday, but he decided to shorten his trip due to a security update concerning Israeli Army action against members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement. Cohen is expected to return to Israel following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

I landed a short time ago in New Delhi, the capital of India, and immediately upon landing I received a security update. In light of the events in Israel, I decided to cut short the diplomatic visit to India and return to Israel after my meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that will take place today,” the Israeli Foreign Minister said in a tweet on Tuesday.

The Israeli army killed three senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in an early Tuesday morning bombing as part of ‘Operation Shield and Arrow,’ according to The Times of Israel.

The Israeli army began hitting targets in the Gaza Strip shortly after 2 a.m., in what appeared to be a coordinated surprise attack on senior leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement.

Prior to the operation, Israeli residents within 40 kilometres (25 miles) of Gaza were instructed to enter or remain near bomb shelters due to fears of retaliatory attacks as raids continued across the Strip. Previous attacks on Islamic Jihad leaders, according to The Times of Israel, resulted in rocket attacks on Israeli civilians and intense battles with Israeli troops, some of which lasted several days.

At least 12 people were killed in the latest Israeli air raids on Gaza on Tuesday, including three senior members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement. His visit came after Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat visited India in April with a large business delegation to strengthen bilateral ties in common areas of interest, automotive technologies, and fintech.