Israeli Minister Nir Barkat Exclusive With Gaurav Sawant On India Today, Calls Saudi UAR Good Guys

Israel's Minister Nir Barkat discusses the country's enhanced relationship with India, emphasizing collaborations in technology, agriculture, and security. He highlights the need to combat Iran's influence through its proxies and advocates for a strong stance against terrorism, differentiating between 'good' and 'bad' actors in the region, with Saudi Arabia positioned as a potential partner in the Abraham Accords, aiming for peace and prosperity.

India-Israel Business

• 00:00:51 Israel seeks to expand business and collaboration with India, driven by India's rapid growth and global influence. They aim to explore a Free Trade Agreement to further accelerate economic development and create mutually beneficial opportunities. Israeli technologies in Agro-Tech, Food-Tech, and other sectors are being promoted for Indian markets.

Regional Security Threats

• 00:05:50 Israel views Hezbollah, a proxy of Iran, as a major security threat in Lebanon, following attacks and rocket launches. They aim to establish a buffer zone to deter future attacks and ensure the safe return of displaced people. The Israeli Defense Forces have conducted operations to dismantle infrastructure and remove threats from the border.

Iran's Actions and Nuclear Ambitions

• 00:08:51 Iran is designated as Israel's Enemy Number One due to its support for terrorist groups, its desire for a nuclear weapon to eliminate Israel, and its destabilizing actions in the Middle East. Israel is committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and will take offensive measures to ensure this.

Abraham Accords and Regional Peace

• 00:11:36 Israel seeks to expand the Abraham Accords, a successful peace process, by differentiating between countries that collaborate and those that pose a threat. Saudi Arabia is seen as a potential partner, and Israel wants to expand peace with other moderate Arab states. This initiative is aimed at bringing stability and prosperity to the region.

Hamas and Gaza's Future

• 00:15:44 Hamas, with its charter to destroy Israel and its violent ideology, is viewed as a major obstacle to peace. Israel believes Hamas must deradicalize its education system, recognize Israel, and change its behavior to foster cooperation. The future of Gaza depends on Hamas's willingness to embrace peace and reject violence.