Israel’s participation in the Aero India show is on track: Ron Malka

Indian authorities are investigating the small blast near the Israeli embassy in Delhi on January 29. No one was injured in the blast, which police said was probably caused by a “very low-intensity improvised device”.

“Israel’s participation in Aero India is on track so far notwithstanding the blast incident. We are committed to our friendship with India,” Malka said ahead of the Aero India show in Bengaluru.

Israel, one of India’s key defence partners, is an important participant in the Aero India show.

Malka said it would be difficult to name any group or entity responsible for the attack until the probe is concluded. He said Israel was anticipating an attack on its assets globally after the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Suleimani and, more recently, top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

“The threat perception was on rise in the last few months, in particular, and all precautions were put in place, including in India. We were already on alert,” he said.

The envoy also referred to the recent developments in West Asia and Abraham Accords preceding the episode. “Someone wants to spoil the atmosphere of peace. The fact that the blast occurred coinciding with the 29th anniversary of creation of diplomatic ties between India and Israel cannot be ignored too.”

Malka pointed out that Israel is receiving full support from India and both are conducting a joint probe into the blast.

“All reasons and motives behind the attack are being probed. But what I can tell you is that we are collecting all the information and putting all pieces of evidence together and building the puzzle. Eventually, I think we will understand it all and the picture will be clear and we will get to know who is behind this evil attack,” he said.

The blast, in which some car windows were damaged, occurred about 150 m from the Israeli embassy in the high-security Lutyens’ zone of Delhi. In February 2012, a motorcycle rider had attached an explosive device to the back door of a diplomat’s car from behind. One embassy staff member, a local employee and two passers-by had got injured in that attack.