Our Bureau
Tel Aviv
Indian universities have strengthened research partnerships with Israeli colleges and weapons companies amidst the Gaza conflict, while institutions in the US and UK are reconsidering exchanges due to increasing casualties. Indian universities have formed more collaborations with Israeli universities in defense, robotics, and AI, reportedly implicated in the ongoing conflict. Some are currently collaborating with Israeli weapons firms or Indian companies known to have supplied arms to Israel. The collaborations, some made public, suggest that Israel is strengthening connections with Indian universities, particularly in the field of science, in order to establish not only new centers for defense and technology research for its military but also to have an impact on Indian academic institutions.
According to the reports, over twelve meetings, workshops, and agreements have taken place between Indian universities and Israeli universities and weapons firms following the ICJ’s suggestion that Israel may be guilty of genocide in Gaza. These meetings took place with various institutions in India, such as IIT-Delhi, AIIMS, IIT Bombay, and IIM Bengaluru.
Also, the agreement might be Israel’s way of integrating with India’s university system to meet its increasing need for military equipment and technological advancement. This would also help Israel broaden its partnerships amidst calls for boycotts and divestments from its universities and military actions. Before Narendra Modi became Prime Minister in 2014, there were only a limited number of connections between Indian and Israeli universities, which had not been established for long. Post Modi’s Israel visit in 2017, institutional relations have taken a leap.
Efforts from both countries to enhance cultural and social connections, such as promoting Bollywood in Israel and mainstreaming Hindutva and Zionist myths to highlight shared demographic challenges and destiny, have led to increased social and economic engagements. This increased visibility has also encouraged student and academic exchange.
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India Israel defence contract is sacred! India has only Israel as its friend and same applies to Israel. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Netanyahu are hand in hand for joint defence and economic progress.