CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The JWG is the apex body between the Ministry of Defence of India and Israel’s Ministry of Defence to comprehensively review and guide all aspects of Bilateral Defence Cooperation. The two sides reviewed the progress made in Military to Military engagements including exercises and industry cooperation.

Detailed explanation-2: -Beyond defence trade, India and Israel have also been engaged in defence technology cooperation. The symbol of their success is the Barak-8 air and missile defence system. Co-developed by the IAI and India’s Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), Barak-8 is available in land and maritime versions.

Detailed explanation-3: -There is cooperation on security issues, including a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. In February 2014, India and Israel signed three important agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Cooperation in Homeland Security, and Protection of Classified Material.

Detailed explanation-4: -From US$ 200 million in 1992, bilateral merchandise trade stood at US$ 4.66 billion in 2020-21 and US$ 4.82 billion during the period April-November 2021 with the balance of trade being in India’s favor. India is Israel’s third-largest trade partner in Asia and seventh largest globally.