Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and discussed the ongoing West Asia conflict, regional developments, and key areas of bilateral cooperation.
During the conversation, PM Modi and Netanyahu reviewed the progress of the India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors for the mutual benefit of both nations.
The two leaders agreed to remain in regular contact and continue discussions on issues of shared interest, including regional security and strategic collaboration.
PM Modi had visited Israel in February, during which he was honoured with the Medal of the Knesset, the highest recognition awarded by Israel’s Parliament, for his contribution to strengthening India-Israel relations.
During the visit, Modi and Netanyahu expressed satisfaction over the progress made in bilateral ties across sectors such as trade and investment, defence and security, space, energy, critical technologies, cybersecurity, education, scientific research, and innovation.
The leaders also highlighted the potential of deeper collaboration in emerging areas including agriculture, water management, startups, fintech, digital healthcare, biotechnology, and advanced pharmaceuticals.
They welcomed initiatives aimed at expanding the mobility partnership between the two countries to strengthen people-to-people connections. Both leaders also called for the early conclusion of the proposed India-Israel Free Trade Agreement, noting that agreements and platforms such as the Bilateral Investment Treaty, India-Israel Innovation Bridge, India-Israel Innovation Centre for Agriculture, and India-Israel Industrial R&D and Innovation Fund could further boost economic and technological cooperation.
The two sides also emphasised the need to expand collaboration in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and quantum computing by combining India’s skilled workforce with Israel’s innovation ecosystem.
Source: News18