Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a red carpet welcome at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, as the former began his two-day state visit there on Wednesday.
PM Modi, on his first visit to Israel in nine years, is expected to hold talks on artificial intelligence as well as defence at a time when Israel is seeking to increase its military exports.
Upon his arrival in Israel, Prime Minister Modi was warmly embraced by Netanyahu, followed by a ceremonial welcome by the Israeli military, which underscoring the strong friendship and close ties between the two nations.
PM Modi will address the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) at 8 pm, and also visit a technology and innovation exhibit later in the evening, before joining Netanyahu for a private dinner. On Thursday, PM Modi will pay a visit to Yad Vashem at 12:15 pm — Israel’s official memorial, established in 1953, to commemorate the six million Jews murdered by Nazis.
India and Israel have grown significantly closer under the Modi government, a shift underscored by PM Narendra Modi’s landmark 2017 visit — the first by an Indian Prime Minister.
During the PM’s visit, both sides agreed to expand cooperation across various areas including technology, defence, innovation, water management, agriculture, cybersecurity and space research, with Modi describing the relationship as “special". In 2018, Prime Minister Netanyahu travelled to New Delhi, reinforcing the strategic bond between the two nations.
PM Modi’s visit comes amid heightened regional tensions, as the United States has threatened military action against Iran, which could trigger a wider conflict in the Middle East. However, PM Modi’s visit to Israel is expected to solely focus on bilateral engagement.
Ahead of his arrival, Modi expressed hope that his visit would strengthen the strategic ties between India and Israel. “I am confident that my State Visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries, set new goals for the Strategic Partnership, and advance our shared vision for a resilient, innovative and prosperous future," he said.
Source: News18