Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has voiced support for India’s position amid heightened trade frictions with the United States, particularly on the contentious issue of tariffs and the purchase of discounted Russian oil. Speaking in New Delhi to ANI on September 9, 2025, Smotrich underlined that Israel does not take issue with India’s sourcing of crude oil from Russia, despite international sanctions against Moscow linked to the protracted war in Ukraine.

He remarked that such matters of energy security are ultimately to be discussed and resolved between Washington and New Delhi, emphasising confidence that these two major partners could arrive at workable solutions. His expression of understanding highlights Israel’s pragmatic approach to India’s energy strategy at a time when New Delhi has diversified its oil imports to maintain affordability and stability in domestic markets.

The broader backdrop to his comments lies in the recent escalation of US–India trade tensions, where Washington has slapped tariffs amounting to 50 percent on Indian imports and imposed an additional 25 percent levy due to India’s continued reliance on Russian crude.

This punitive step has created unease within the global economic system, already unsettled by prolonged geopolitical conflicts, energy realignments, and inflationary pressures.

Smotrich, however, reiterated that relations among India, Israel, and the United States are built on decades of history, cooperation, and resilience. He acknowledged that differences are inevitable within such partnerships but stressed that structural bonds—whether in defence, economy, or technology—ensure such disputes are negotiated and ultimately resolved without damaging long-term ties.

In particular, Smotrich highlighted the trilateral legacy binding India, Israel, and the United States, with reference to strong personal ties between the leaders of the three countries: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He described these relationships as underpinned by “common values, common friends, common enemies, and common economic interests,” signalling a shared vision that extends beyond episodic tensions over trade or geopolitical positioning. His remarks reflect Israel’s strategic interest in preventing friction between its two key partners—India and the U.S.—from escalating into protracted disagreements that could indirectly impact its own strategic and commercial engagements.

Smotrich also pointed out that much of the negotiation work in economic and trade domains takes place behind the scenes, out of immediate public scrutiny. He implied that while headlines may emphasize confrontation, substantive diplomatic and ministerial-level talks continue to make progress quietly.

This statement reflects both Israel’s own ongoing negotiations with the U.S. administration over tariff arrangements and its confidence that India itself will secure a balanced settlement with Washington.

By lending India diplomatic support on contentious issues like Russian crude purchases and agricultural independence, Israel signalled a reinforcement of bilateral goodwill at a time when India balances its strategic autonomy with mounting Western pressures.

The Finance Minister’s remarks carry wider resonance as Israel reaffirms its position as a close and reliable partner for India amidst a shifting global economic and geopolitical landscape.

Israel’s pragmatic acknowledgment of India’s energy needs, coupled with its endorsement of India’s resistance against unilateral trade measures, fits within the broader template of cooperation spanning defence, agriculture, water technology, and innovation.

The assurance that disputes over tariffs or oil will not overshadow historic partnerships underscores the maturity of India–Israel ties. At the same time, Smotrich’s comments illustrate Jerusalem’s broader diplomatic balancing act between its alliance with Washington and its deepening partnerships in Asia.

This episode demonstrates how Israel, cognizant of the overlapping yet sometimes conflicting interests of its partners, positions itself as a mediator that reinforces commonalities rather than accentuating divergence.

While President Trump’s tariff escalation has rattled Indian exporters and farmers, Israel’s signal of support provides political and diplomatic weight to India’s efforts at navigating this trade dispute.

It also sets the tone for expanded India–Israel cooperation in food security, high-tech agriculture, and energy partnerships, areas that assume greater significance as global supply chains remain under strain.

In effect, Smotrich’s intervention reflects Israel’s commitment to align diplomatically with India’s concerns while also reaffirming trilateral alignment with the U.S. under shared values and interests.

Based On ANI Report