New Delhi [India], September 30 (ANI): Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said on Tuesday that India can contribute significantly to Israel’s development. Azar also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for welcoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan aimed at resolving the Gaza crisis.
“So yesterday, I think, was a historic day. We’ve seen that not only the United States and Israel, but also countries in the Arab world, in the Muslim world, in the large international community—Prime Minister Modi joined in support,” Azar told ANI.
He said that Israel was preparing to issue tenders worth over USD 200 billion in the next decade and highlighted opportunities for Indian companies.
“India can also contribute a lot because you have capabilities. Only two or three weeks ago, we had here a large delegation from Israel that invited Indian infrastructure companies to come and build in Israel. We’re going to issue tenders for more than $200 billion in the next 10 years. And also, Gaza will require a lot of capabilities. I hope that India can play a part in it. It’s completely up to India,” Azar said.
He added that India would gain many opportunities if the plan is implemented.
“If this plan gets implemented, a lot of opportunities are going to be presented, and India will be able to engage directly—with the Americans, with Tony Blair, with other international players and organizations—to see how they can be part of this,” he said.
Azar emphasized that Israel was encouraged by India’s stance, noting their shared commitment to combating terrorism.
“We are very encouraged by the Indian position because I think we share the same values of rejecting terrorism, fighting radicalism, de-radicalizing, and building a better future for the people through development and through empowering forces committed to peace. All of that, I think, is something that we share,” he said.
He said the principles of the peace plan were promising, as they addressed the roots of the October 7 conflict.
“I think the principles laid out in the plan give me a lot of hope because they include all the elements we decided upon at the outset when we responded to the atrocious attack by Hamas on October 7,” Azar said.
He further told ANI that the international community was united on the issues of hostages and demilitarization of Hamas.
“Bringing back hostages, completely dismantling the military capabilities of Hamas, ensuring they cannot rearm and regroup, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, and forming a new self-rule in Gaza committed to peace and rebuilding, with an international community united around these principles,” he said.
Azar expressed hope that Hamas would accept the proposal, allowing Israel to withdraw and enable Gaza’s reconstruction.
“Well, I hope that Hamas accepts the plan. If that happens, within 72 hours there will be an automatic beginning of Israel’s withdrawal to a new line. In the Gaza Strip, we will also release Palestinian detainees, and aid will be allowed to flow into Gaza. In the following phase, as Palestinian self-rule is consolidated with the help of the international community, Israel will be able to withdraw into the perimeter of the Gaza Strip and allow Gaza to be rebuilt,” he said.
The White House on Monday released the peace plan to end the two-year-old Gaza conflict following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (ANI)
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