Jerusalem, 26 February (IANS). Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel as ‘rich and productive’ i.e. very successful. In the press briefing, he shared important information related to the honors received by PM Modi, 16 MOUs and agreements as well as strategic partnerships.
He said that this journey of a little more than 24 hours was certainly short, but from the point of view of achievements, it was very rich. As the Israeli PM also said that it was special. The Foreign Secretary said that the visit took place at the invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has given a new direction to India-Israel relations.
He said that this visit is part of Prime Minister Modi’s broader strategy, under which he is actively strengthening India’s relations with the countries of West Asia. In the last one year, the Prime Minister has visited Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman and now Israel. Besides, many heads of state and government from this region have also come to India. Wherever he went he was awarded the highest honour.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that PM Modi received the honor of the Israeli Parliament for his contribution in strengthening India-Israel relations. PM Modi is the first person in the world to receive the ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’.
Giving complete details of PM Modi’s visit, Misri further said that on Thursday morning, PM Modi paid tribute to the Holocaust victims at Yad Vashem, World Holocaust Remembrance Centre. He then met President Isaac Herzog and planted an oak sapling in the Rashtrapati Bhavan complex under the ‘One Tree in Mother’s Name’ initiative.
In the delegation-level talks between PM Modi and PM Netanyahu, both the countries agreed to deepen cooperation in several areas including science, technology, innovation, cyber security, agriculture, water management, defence, trade, and people-to-people contacts.
Misri said that after the delegation level talks, about 16 MoUs and agreements were exchanged. These agreements are related to many areas including science, technology, innovation, cyber security, agriculture, water management, defence, trade and economic cooperation.
It has been decided to upgrade India-Israel relations to ‘Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity’. This decision is a symbol of deep trust and strong partnership between the two countries.
–IANS
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