American Jews and Indian Americans from South Florida recently joined together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Israel and India at the Colonnade Hotel in Coral Gables.
This reception marking the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries was hosted by the American Jewish Committee’s Miami and Broward Office, the India-U.S. Chamber of Commerce South Florida, the Consulate General of Israel in Miami and Consulate General of India to the Southeast United States of America, which is based in Atlanta. The event featured performances by young Indian dancers and Israeli singers and remarks from the host organizations’ leaders.
“We came together at an important time to mark this anniversary of 25 years of diplomatic relations as a celebration of two ancient civilizations, two post-colonial states, two democracies, two centers of culture and faith, two nations with vibrant global diasporas,” said Brian Siegal, director for AJC’s Miami and Broward Office. “It was only natural that India and Israel would forge not only diplomatic relations, but a unique and enduring partnership.”
Siegal continued, ” Now, 25 years after Delhi and Jerusalem launched formal ties, we can see the impressive contours and products of an evolving Indo-Israeli alliance — and project even greater mutual benefit in the years to come. So, as we mark the past, we also mark the future and the important contributions that we will all make together.”
Siegal noted, “We were proud to partner with our friends at the Israeli Consulate, the India Consulate and the India-U.S. Chamber of Commerce.”
“This was a perfect opportunity to recognize friendships and partnerships that we have been building for many years and which continue to grow,” he continued.
Siegal was impressed with the turnout for the event.
“We were happy to have such a great group of leaders from the Indian-American and Jewish communities as well as several diplomats from various consulates.”
Lior Haiat, consul general of Israel in Miami, echoed Siegal’s praise of the turnout.
“It’s amazing,” Haiat said about the turnout at the event. “You see the connection of the different communities here. You have the Miami community, the Indian community and the Jewish community together. It’s not just a bilateral relationship, it’s a trilateral relationship that connects India, Israel and America.”
Haiat said that there are so many things that connect Israel and India together and it’s “very natural” to have that close relationship between both countries. He also mentioned that although they celebrated the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations, this relationship between both countries started long before 1992.
Madhu Mehta, president of India-U.S. Chamber of Commerce South Florida, said, “We wanted to celebrate the anniversary with our Jewish friends and it was wonderful to have the consul general of India, who came from Atlanta, and the consul general of Israel here at this celebration as we can think of no better way to celebrate our relationship that, although began with diplomatic ties 25 years ago, goes back centuries.”
Nagesh Singh, consul general of India to the Southeast United States, said that although they celebrated the diplomatic aspect of the relationship between both countries, the relationship between India and the Jewish community goes back 2,500 years.
Regarding his message to the attendees, Singh said, “What we are celebrating here today is the relationship between two very ancient civilizations and two relatively new countries which are bound together by shared values, democracy, pluralism and rule of law.”