New Delhi: Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar praised India’s growing influence in West Asia, saying New Delhi has a “big role” in bringing stability to the region amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.Speaking about India’s role in the current West Asia crisis, Azar said India’s growing economic power and trade partnership could transform the region if stability is maintained and extremist threats are controlled.“India has a huge role to play in this because India is the fastest growing economy in our region and as a result of the agreements made with all the major trade blocs, we will see trillions of dollars of goods moving forward, a lot of investment moving forward and our region, West Asia, can enjoy that, if we have stability,” Azar said.“So we have to achieve stability, we have to neutralize the radical elements, and then I think both India and us and all the countries in the region will be able to enjoy the prosperity that is going to come from India to our region.”The comments come at a time when Israel is increasingly highlighting its strategic and diplomatic ties with India, while positioning New Delhi as an important economic and political partner in the broader Middle East region.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week underlined the strength of bilateral ties, saying Israel enjoys strong public support from India even as it faces criticism in other parts of the world.“We have a unique relationship with a great power called India. In India, there is support for Israel,” Netanyahu said during a public address.“We face illegalization in most parts of the world – but not in India,” he said.Netanyahu also commented on the widespread public affection for Israel among Indians, saying, “In India, there is absolutely crazy love for Israel, really crazy. I think I have more followers from India than anywhere else.”The Israeli leader’s comments reinforce the growing warmth between New Delhi and Tel Aviv, especially under the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has steadily expanded cooperation with Israel in areas ranging from defense and technology to trade and agriculture.During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel earlier this year, Netanyahu also recalled his personal relationship with India while addressing a joint press conference.Netanyahu said, “I have to say at the end of this visit that I am indebted to India – I don’t know if I told you this or not, Narendra – but I owe a huge personal debt to India. You see, when I met Sara for the first time, I think our first or second date was in an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv.”The visit further strengthened symbolic ties between the two countries, with Modi being awarded the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal”, considered Israel’s highest parliamentary honour.India and Israel have deepened engagement over the past decade, with both governments often emphasizing cooperation on security, innovation, connectivity and regional stability. Israel’s latest comments show that New Delhi is being viewed not only as a bilateral partner, but also as a potential stabilizing power in the broader West Asian region.