Curiosity is increasing in Israel before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel on 25-26 February. The Israel Embassy in India on Monday released a video welcoming the visit and described India-Israel relations as a partnership of trust.
Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar said, “This is an exciting moment for India-Israel relations. We look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel. Now, when India and Israel come together, it is not just a meeting. It is a partnership based on trust, driven by innovation and guided by a clear understanding of the challenges of the present day.”
Azar said that during the visit of the Indian Prime Minister, both the countries will move forward in the field of security and defense and promote partnership in AI, quantum and cyber sectors.
He said, “During this visit we will move forward decisively. First of all, in the field of security and defence. India and Israel have been working together for years and we are proud of this strong cooperation. But the world is changing rapidly and threats are also increasing. To deal with these, we will further strengthen our defense ties by updating our security agreements. This will help us engage in more sensitive projects and develop technological solutions together.”
“Second, our economic partnership is gaining real momentum. We have signed a bilateral investment treaty and we are moving towards signing a free trade agreement, hopefully this year. Third, this visit will be important in establishing partnerships in areas like AI, quantum and cyber,” he said.
He further said, “Finally, Israel wants Indian infrastructure companies to come to Israel. We want to streamline our financial cooperation and promote innovation. Other important sectors like transport, water, agriculture and educational cooperation will also be taken forward during this visit. India and Israel are not just partners, but true friends, building the future together.”
Earlier, speaking at the beginning of the weekly government meeting on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the visit would showcase the “special relationship” built between Israel and India in recent years as well as his personal relationship with Prime Minister Modi.
Netanyahu said, “This week, the special relationship that has formed in recent years between Israel and global power India, and between me and India’s leader, Prime Minister Modi, will be highlighted. We are personal friends; we often speak on the phone and visit each other.”
Highlighting the earlier meetings, he said the two leaders had visited each other’s countries and maintained close contacts, and also said that Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit will further strengthen bilateral cooperation in the economic, diplomatic and security sectors.
Netanyahu said, “I have visited India, and Modi has also been here. We sailed together in the Mediterranean Sea, and since then there has been a lot of water flow in the Mediterranean Sea, the Ganges and Jordan, although the water flow in Jordan has decreased slightly. However, one thing is certain: the fabric of our relations has become even stronger, and they are coming here so that we can work through a series of decisions related to strengthening cooperation between our governments and countries. This includes economic, diplomatic and security cooperation.”
The Israeli Prime Minister said that Prime Minister Modi will deliver a speech in Parliament and participate in an innovation program in Jerusalem. The two leaders will also visit Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to Holocaust victims.
