IsraelVisit – PM Modi Set to Deepen India-Israel Partnership
IsraelVisit – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed optimism ahead of his upcoming visit to Israel, stating that the trip would help further reinforce the close ties shared by the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi shared his remarks on X while responding to a message from Israel’s Leader of the Opposition, Yair Lapid. He said he was eager to travel to Israel and confident that the visit would strengthen bilateral relations.
Israeli Leaders Extend Warm Welcome
Ahead of the two-day State Visit, Yair Lapid conveyed his enthusiasm in a post written in Hindi on X, describing Modi as a genuine friend of Israel. He emphasized that the relationship between India and Israel goes beyond strategic interests and reflects a deeper bond between the two countries.
The visit marks Modi’s second trip to Israel, following his landmark 2017 visit. That earlier tour was widely regarded as a turning point in the relationship, leading to expanded cooperation in areas such as defence, agriculture, and water management.
Visit Described as Historic by Both Sides
Prime Minister Modi characterized the upcoming trip as historic, saying it would inject fresh momentum into the growing partnership between the two nations. His comments came in response to a post by Zvika Klein, Editor-in-Chief of The Jerusalem Post, who shared an image of the newspaper’s special front page prepared for the occasion.
The prominent daily featured a large photograph of Modi alongside a headline welcoming him and highlighting the longstanding connections between the two ancient civilizations. The coverage also pointed to the expanding strategic partnership and the steady growth in bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
Symbolic Gesture at the Knesset
In a show of goodwill, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, was illuminated in the colors of the Indian flag on Tuesday night. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana shared images of the illuminated building on X, describing it as a tribute to the visiting Indian leader.
Responding to the gesture, Modi said he was honored and looked forward to addressing the Israeli lawmakers. During his visit, he is scheduled to become the first Indian Prime Minister to speak before the Knesset, a move seen as symbolic of the democratic values shared by both nations.
Talks with Netanyahu and Herzog
In his departure statement, Modi underlined the strength and diversity of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership. He noted that the relationship has grown significantly in recent years and now spans a wide range of fields.
During the visit, Modi is expected to hold detailed discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The talks are set to cover cooperation in science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, defence and security, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. Regional and global developments are also likely to be part of the agenda.
The Prime Minister will also meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog to review progress in bilateral initiatives and explore new areas of collaboration.
Engagement with Indian Community
Apart from official meetings, Modi is scheduled to interact with members of the Indian diaspora in Israel. He acknowledged the community’s role in strengthening cultural and social ties between the two countries over the years.
Expressing confidence in the outcome of the visit, Modi said he believes the trip will consolidate existing partnerships and chart new goals for future cooperation. He added that the discussions would focus on building a resilient, innovative, and prosperous future for both nations.
India and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1992, and since then, ties have expanded steadily. The upcoming visit is expected to further deepen collaboration and reaffirm the longstanding friendship between the two countries.