Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Tel Aviv for a two-day State Visit to Israel, marking his first visit to the country since 2017. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu greeted PM Modi at the Ben Gurion airport with a warm embrace, showcasing the strong bond between the two leaders. The visit aims to strengthen cooperation in various sectors and discuss regional and global issues.
During his stay, PM Modi is scheduled to engage in discussions with Netanyahu, meet Israel President Isaac Herzog, speak at the Israeli Parliament – Knesset, and participate in other programs. The 2017 visit by PM Modi to Israel paved the way for enhanced collaboration in defense, agriculture, and water management between the two nations. PM Modi expressed eagerness for his talks with Netanyahu to bolster ties across science, technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, defense, security, trade, investment, and people-to-people connections.
The visit also includes a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to address bilateral matters. PM Modi looks forward to being the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, emphasizing the strong parliamentary and democratic bonds between India and Israel. He anticipates engaging with the Indian diaspora to further nurture the special friendship between the two countries and set new objectives for their Strategic Partnership.
PM Modi acknowledged Netanyahu’s praise during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, where the Israeli PM hailed the upcoming visit as a significant milestone in bilateral relations. Netanyahu emphasized the shared commitment to peace, progress, and innovation between India and Israel, envisioning a broader alliance in the Middle East against radical forces. The Israeli PM highlighted the close personal relationship with PM Modi, describing him not only as a partner but as a “personal friend.”
Netanyahu outlined PM Modi’s itinerary in Israel, including his address at the Knesset, participation in an innovation event in Jerusalem, and a visit to Yad Vashem. The leaders aim to advance cooperation in high-tech, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies, positioning both countries as global leaders in these fields.
