For Reuven Azar, Ambassador of Israel to India, the city’s greenery is what stands out the most, apart from the architecture of old government buildings and shrines.
Azar arrived in India in August 2024. Before this, he was the Ambassador of Israel to Romania since August 2022. He previously served as Head of the Israel-US-China internal task force at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, immediately after a term of three years as Deputy National Security Advisor for Foreign Policy at the National Security Council and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister of Israel. From 2014 to 2018, he was Deputy Ambassador at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC. Since the completion of the MFA cadet training programme in 1994, he held mostly Middle East-related positions, such as Head of the Iran Sanctions Team and Director of Middle East Economic Research.
During his career, Azar has covered different aspects of cooperation and negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, as well as research on Palestinian issues.
Born in Argentina in 1967, he served in a paratroopers battalion of the Israeli Defense Forces from 1985 to 1988 and was a reservist combat sergeant up to 2008.
He has both an MA and BA from the Department of International Relations at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is married to Rachel and a father to Roni, Ofir and Oren.
Azar speaks fluent Spanish and Arabic, in addition to English and Hebrew. He has started to learn Hindi.
Azar spoke to The Indian Express as part of a series of interviews with Ambassadors about Delhi — their home.
Story continues below this ad
One place in the city that you love visiting often.
I’ve been here for seven months now, and I think the thing I love to do most is to visit the beautiful parks Delhi has to offer. I especially enjoy them when the weather is nice, like now. I enjoy taking walks and seeing the squirrels and tropical vegetation. It’s very tranquil.
Three things that stood out in Delhi during your stay here.
Delhi has a huge variety of food to offer, both Indian and international restaurants are great. I really appreciate the architecture of all the old government buildings and shrines. It’s inspiring. I also love the greenery. For a capital city, it is very green and welcoming.
Favourite food in the city?
Story continues below this ad
I love Indian sweets. They are so original. I especially like jalebi and gulab jamun. I also like Indian ice creams. We don’t have these unique flavors back in Israel.
Memories or encounters from Delhi that you’ll never forget?
We had a recent ministerial visit of our minister of economy along with 100 businessmen. This was the largest-ever delegation of Israeli businessmen to India, and it symbolises the special affection Israelis have towards India and their desire to do business here. We felt mutual informal warmth and closeness between the minister and delegates on both sides.
Is there anything that you or your family would miss once you say goodbye to this city?
Story continues below this ad
I think we will miss the abundant variety of birds that come to visit our house every day. The way nature is a part of the city, it’s really wonderful.
If you have to introduce Delhi to someone back home, what will you tell them?
Brace yourself for never-ending action! Brace yourself for glamorous vibrancy!
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd