New Delhi: Israel’s Ambassador to India hosted a National Day reception on the occasion of Israel’s Independence Day, attended by Minister of State Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Members of Parliament, ambassadors, diplomats and other distinguished guests. The Israel Ministry of Tourism team in Mumbai, led by Galit Hoffman, Consul for Tourism Affairs, also participated in the event.
Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador welcomed guests with “Namaste and Shalom” and thanked them for joining the celebration of Israel’s independence. He said Israel was facing a “defining moment in history” nearly three years after the October 7, 2023, attacks, and asserted that the country would prevail despite continuing security challenges.
“As we celebrate our independence, Israel is being tested again by the forces which wish to destroy us,” the Ambassador said. “Israel has proven to itself and to the world how resilient we are.”
He praised Israel’s armed forces and citizens, saying the country’s military was working to remove threats while its economy continued to grow despite the ongoing conflict. The Ambassador said Israel’s GDP had crossed the USD 700 billion mark, placing the country among the world’s leading economies in terms of GDP per capita.
Calling Israel a “technological powerhouse,” he said the country continued to export innovation globally and had maintained economic growth of more than 3 percent annually despite the war. He credited this achievement to the resilience of Israeli society and support from international partners.
The Ambassador also emphasized the close relationship between Israel and India, describing vitality and entrepreneurship as shared values. He said both countries were ancient civilizations experiencing national revival, and both faced challenges from radicalism and terrorism while remaining committed to democracy, tolerance and inclusive development.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel, the Ambassador said the trip had strengthened bilateral ties and elevated the relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership.” He noted that the two countries had signed 18 cooperation agreements and were deepening collaboration in areas including defence, critical infrastructure and emerging technologies.
The event concluded with a message of peace for Israel, the region and the world. The Ambassador recited a traditional Hebrew prayer, saying: “May He who makes peace in the heavens grant peace to us and to all our people.”
