In 1992, when India opened its embassy in Israel, trade between the two countries amounted to $2 million. Today, he said, it stands at $2.7 billion dollars—a 2,700-fold increase.
Citing the continuous strengthening of ties between geographically tiny Israel and giant India, Ambassador Singh [pictured above] predicted that bilateral trade between the two would jump to $7 billion in two or three years.
He said India was prepared to expand relations with neighboring China, whose economy was developing strongly. Economic competition between countries is a positive thing, he said.
Singh also referred to India's cooperation with Iran in the energy sphere. He thought those ties would not be disturbed by India's arms deals with the United States.
Focusing on Israel-India trade, he pointed out that large Israeli firms were already aware of the significance of India as a commercial and technological center. In this regard, the ambassador noted that there are 2.5 million new cellular phone subscribers in his country each month. This figure is equal to nearly half Israel's total population.
Touching upon one of Israel's top industries, he said that India was one of the world's ten leading pharmaceutical producers.
The ambassador wanted his University of Haifa audience to know that his country was not just a taker, but a giver, as well. In contrast to the past, he asserted, India was investing in other countries, and not just those that invested in India. He referred to the opening of the Bank of India in Israel.
Singh listed others areas of cooperation between Israel and India including the war on terrorism, culture, and space.
Based on an article from Haifa University's Focus Magazine
Photo: Yael Krivoy
Citing the continuous strengthening of ties between geographically tiny Israel and giant India, Ambassador Singh [pictured above] predicted that bilateral trade between the two would jump to $7 billion in two or three years.
He said India was prepared to expand relations with neighboring China, whose economy was developing strongly. Economic competition between countries is a positive thing, he said.
Singh also referred to India's cooperation with Iran in the energy sphere. He thought those ties would not be disturbed by India's arms deals with the United States.
Focusing on Israel-India trade, he pointed out that large Israeli firms were already aware of the significance of India as a commercial and technological center. In this regard, the ambassador noted that there are 2.5 million new cellular phone subscribers in his country each month. This figure is equal to nearly half Israel's total population.
Touching upon one of Israel's top industries, he said that India was one of the world's ten leading pharmaceutical producers.
The ambassador wanted his University of Haifa audience to know that his country was not just a taker, but a giver, as well. In contrast to the past, he asserted, India was investing in other countries, and not just those that invested in India. He referred to the opening of the Bank of India in Israel.
Singh listed others areas of cooperation between Israel and India including the war on terrorism, culture, and space.
Based on an article from Haifa University's Focus Magazine
Photo: Yael Krivoy