Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar has said that India and Israel are set to fast-track negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with a high-level Israeli delegation scheduled to arrive in New Delhi in late February. He was speaking in a seminar organized by Red Lantern Analytica & Greater West Asia Forum, India on “Exploring a New Strategic Geography in India–West Asia Relations: Coalitions, Connectivity and Converging Interests”.The event brought together diplomats, policymakers, scholars, strategic practitioners, and students to deliberate on the evolving contours of India’s engagement with West Asia amid changing geopolitical realities.
Mr Azar highlighted India’s rapid rise as a global power and noted that this transformation presents significant opportunities for Israel and the wider West Asian region. Ambassador Azar spoke about evolving economic chains linking India with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel through new trade corridors and partnerships, reflecting the increasing integration of regional economies. While acknowledging persistent regional tensions, he emphasised West Asia’s enduring strategic importance in global trade, labour mobility, and economic connectivity. A central theme of his address was the deepening mutual trust between India and Israel, reflected in growing cooperation across infrastructure, finance, and strategic sectors.
The seminar examined emerging strategic frameworks, evolving security architectures, geoeconomic realignments, and people-centric cooperation shaping India–West Asia relations in an era defined by multipolarity, technological transformation, and new connectivity initiatives.
Inaugural Session
The Chief Guest address was delivered by Shri Sujeet Kumar, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), who highlighted the strengthening India–Israel partnership and its growing strategic significance. He noted India’s expanding influence in West Asia and described contemporary relations as moving towards deeper diplomatic and technological collaboration.
Dr. Siddhartha Ghosh, Director, Red Lantern Analytica, emphasised that while the idea of a “new strategic geography” has increasingly entered policy discourse, it is yet to be fully defined and conceptualised. He highlighted how digital connectivity, joint investment frameworks, and emerging economic corridors have transformed connectivity into a strategic instrument rather than merely an economic mechanism.
Dr. Manjari Singh, Founding Member of GWAFI and Associate Professor, MRIIRS reflected on the evolution of India–West Asia relations and emphasised the multidimensional nature of contemporary engagement. She highlighted that West Asia remains India’s extended neighbourhood, marked by increasing high-level exchanges, expanding economic cooperation, and growing collaboration across both conventional and non-conventional domains.
The seminar reaffirmed the growing importance of India–West Asia relations in shaping emerging global strategic landscapes. By bringing together diplomatic voices, academic perspectives, and policy expertise, the event highlighted the need for sustained dialogue on security cooperation, connectivity frameworks, and geoeconomic transformation.
