Manish Chand, CEO of Centre for Global India Insights and Editor-in-Chief of India Writes Network, spoke to Israel’s Minister Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Gila Gamliel in Jerusalem about the expanding role of science, technology, and innovation in the India–Israel partnership. In this interview, the Israeli minister highlights the growing potential for collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, start-up ecosystems, research cooperation, and emerging technologies, while underlining the strong political goodwill driving deeper ties between the two countries.
(Excerpts from the interview)
Q: Science and innovation are critical pillars of cooperation between India and Israel. What’s the way ahead for enhancing cooperation in this crucial area?
A: First of all, it is really exciting to see Prime Minister Modi in Israel. The visit has been deeply appreciated by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the people of Israel.
For us, it was very important to show the Indian people how much we care about this connection and the great relationship between our two countries and our two peoples. As the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, and as a member of Israel’s cabinet, I really want the relations between India and Israel to deepen.
In February, a high-level Israeli delegation participated in the India AI Impact Summit 2026, and discussed strengthening technology cooperation in artificial intelligence, climate resilience, and ESG investment. They returned from India, fascinated by the potential for cooperation between our two countries. The leader of the group, Dr. Victor Israel Ghosalker, that visited India is originally from India as well. Now we are working to deepen India-Israel cooperation in these emerging technologies.
During PM Modi’s visit, the two countries signed agreements on building deeper relations between our countries in areas such as universities and agriculture, and also to help companies from both sides work together on many initiatives. There is strong potential for cooperation among companies here in areas such as defence, cybersecurity, AI, and many other fields where Israel can share its knowledge with our best friends in India.
Q: India recently hosted the global AI Impact Summit. AI is one of the most dynamic and emerging areas today. In AI, what can India and Israel do specifically?
A: AI is the revolution of this century. There are many things we can do together to advance cooperation in this field. For example, in education, security, space, and many other areas where we can share knowledge. AI will touch almost every subject and every sector. It will be present in everything. Israel is among the leading countries in the world in AI development. For us, it will be our privilege to share what we have with India. We see the people of India as our best friends.
Q: Israel is often called the start-up nation, and you have many start-ups in the areas of science, technology, and innovation. What are you doing to connect Israeli start-ups with Indian start-ups?
A: First of all, we can create joint groups that will work together. We can also bring investment mechanisms that support the sharing of technologies between Israel and India. Governments can cooperate on this, and companies with strong potential can also work together, along with researchers who can contribute to these collaborations.
I believe it is very important that Prime Minister Modi came to Israel. The strong relations between our Prime Ministers, Netanyahu and Modi, provide a strong foundation, and we hope this will lead to deeper relations between our two countries.
Q: During his visit, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. What did you make of his speech? What stood out for you?
A: First of all, the fact that he addressed the Knesset was very meaningful. Everything he said was very fascinating. But for me, it was enough just to see him there and to say thank you very much.
(Manish Chand is CEO & Editor-in-Chief, Centre for Global India Insights and India Writes Network.)
