Diamonds forge cornerstone of Israel-India tiesAFP, RAMAT GAN, IsraelIn his small office in the Israel Diamond Exchange near the coastal city of Tel Aviv, Pravin Kukadia proudly presents his collection of precious stones. Diamonds belonging to Eminent Gems director Pravin Kukadiaare are displayed during an interview at his office in the Israel Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan, Israel, on May 16. Photo: AFP“At that time, I bought rough diamonds,” he said, carefully inspecting a particularly rare example, a rose-colored diamond. Most Indian diamond families, about 80 people, live close to the diamond exchange in the city of Ramat Gan, and many stay in the same building. “The diamond industry’s trade with India accounts for about 50 percent of all general trade between Israel and India, representing US$1.5 billion per year,” Israel Diamond Exchange president Boaz Moldawsky said.
