Israel to install statue of Indian king Shivaji as gesture of friendship

The Israeli consulate in Mumbai has announced plans to install a statue of the 17th-century Indian Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in an Israeli city. The initiative follows a meeting between Israeli Consul General Yaniv Revach and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

According to the consulate's statement on X, the announcement was made to mark "Shivrajyabhishek Din," the anniversary of Shivaji's coronation in 1674, which established the Maratha empire. Revach stated that the statue would serve as a powerful symbol of the close ties between Israel and India, and would be particularly meaningful given historical links between Maharashtra and the Indian Jewish community. He also expressed a desire to foster greater appreciation for Shivaji and Indian history among the Israeli public, reciprocating the respect Indians hold for Israel and its national heroes.

Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), praised the initiative and offered his complete support. The Indian state of Maharashtra has a notable relationship with the Israeli government and military. This decision aligns with a broader trend of increasing diplomatic, military, and ideological proximity between India and Israel. The announcement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of India's arms shipments to Israel.