It is known that there were expensive garments in the Temple in Jerusalem imported from India via Alexandria. Judea played a minor role in trade between the Roman Empire and India during the period of Roman rule in Judea. Trade connections between India and Palestine and Mediterranean Jewish communities continued, and later, the languages of these cultures started to share linguistic similarities. Similar, earlier accounts describe monkeys exhibited to the public. A Buddhist story describes Indian merchants visiting Baveru (Babylonia) and selling peacocks for public display. The trade relations of both communities can be traced back to 1,000 BCE and earlier to the time of the Indus valley civilization of the Indian subcontinent and the Babylonian culture of Middle East. Later on, Paradesi Jews migrated to Kochi, Kerala, during the 15th and 16th centuries following the expulsion of Jews from Spain. Jews who have settled in Kochi, Kerala, trace their origin back to the time of King Solomon and are called Cochin Jews. Ancient trade and cultural communication between India and the Levant is documented in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and the accounts surrounding Queen of Sheba in the Hebrew Bible. According to Chaim Menachem Rabin, the connection between ancient Israel and the Indian subcontinent was recorded during the reign of King Solomon (10th century BCE) in I Kings 10.22. Geographical analysis of Israel suggests that the authors of Old Testament were talking about India, where the trade of animals such as monkeys and peacocks existed. History Ancient relations Įxcavation at Tel Megiddo shows evidences of Indo-Mediterranean trade relations from mid second millennium BCE between south Asia and southern Levant as they prove presence of turmeric, banana, sesame, all originating from south Asia. 8 Cultural ties and cross-country perceptions.7 Oil and natural gas sector cooperation.3.2 Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to India (2018).3.1 Narendra Modi's visit to Israel (2017).
1.4 Rapprochement and full recognition (1992–present).Īccording to an international poll conducted in 2009, 58 percent of Indians expressed sympathy with Israel with regards to the Arab–Israeli conflict, compared to 56 percent of Americans. As of 2015, the two nations are negotiating an extensive bilateral free-trade agreement, focusing on areas such as information technology, biotechnology and agriculture. Relations further expanded during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, with India abstaining from voting against Israel in several United Nations resolutions. Īs of 2014, India is the third-largest Asian trade partner of Israel, and its tenth-largest trade partner overall bilateral trade, excluding military sales, stood at $4.52 billion. Military and strategic ties between the two nations extend to intelligence-sharing on terrorist groups and joint military training. From 1999 to 2009, military business between the two nations was worth around US$9 billion. India is the largest buyer of Israeli military equipment and Israel is the second-largest supplier of military equipment to India after Russia. Israel is represented through an embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai and Bangalore India is represented through an embassy in Tel Aviv. The two countries have an extensive economic, military, and strategic relationship. India–Israel relations ( Hindi: भारत-इज़राइल सम्बन्ध Hebrew: יחסי הודו-ישראל) refer to the bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the State of Israel. Bilateral relations India–Israel relations