Jerusalem: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday held “extremely fruitful” and wide-ranging talks during which they explored avenues to further enhance cooperation in education, start-ups, innovation, tech and connectivity.
Modi called on Herzog at his official residence, where the two leaders first planted an oak tree together in the garden “as a symbol of friendship, growth, and the building of a shared future between the two countries”, a press release from the Presidency said.
“Our talks were extremely fruitful and wide-ranging,” Modi said in a post on X.
“Both leaders explored avenues to further enhance cooperation in education, start-ups, innovation, tech and connectivity,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
During the meeting, Modi thanked Herzog for the “very warm and grand reception” since he landed in Israel. “This shows the love that the people of Israel have towards India and Indians,” he said.
He also seconded that the India-Israel relationship, across sectors, can do a lot for the global good, be it science, innovation or educational institutions.
“We have had very positive exchanges, especially in sectors such as water and agriculture. India is also implementing a lot of good Israeli solutions in our country,” Modi said.
especially in the agricultural sector, and we have had great results because of that,” Modi said.
“I have had the chance to meet you on different occasions in other parts of the world. You have been very clear with your thoughts, and you are also very committed to India.
Meanwhile a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu said the two leaders called for “decisive and concerted international efforts” to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner.
You respect India a lot. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment and respect for India,” he said.
The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to Herzog to visit India, saying 1.4 billion people of India are eager to receive him.
“I warmly invite you to visit India, and when you come, don’t limit your visit to just Delhi, but take out more time to travel to other parts of India also,” he said.
On his part, Herzog thanked Prime Minister Modi for making a historic second visit to Israel, expressing his deep appreciation for the Indian leader’s “longstanding and steadfast support for the State of Israel, as well as the Indian people’s deep friendship toward the people of Israel.”
The two leaders discussed the critical importance of the strategic partnership between Israel and India in a broad range of fields, including innovation, technology, academia, trade, and security, said the press release from the president’s office.Â
They also spoke about opportunities to expand regional partnerships and alliances, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) initiative, to the benefit of both our peoples, it said.
«Prime Minister Modi, your visit to Israel is exciting the Israeli people with your friendship, with your honesty and frankness, and with the expression of compassion, and with the alliance with Israel and its story,» Herzog said.
«I believe that India is an essential part of the great future of the Middle East, and the Middle East is an essential part of the great future of India. I saw your record levels of economic growth, which is something that is attracting the whole world. It›s fantastic,» he said while applauding India›s rapid growth.
PM Modi interacts with Indian-origin Jews in Israel
Jerusalem: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met and interacted with prominent members of the Indian-origin Jewish community, hours before he concluded his two-day visit to Israel.
There are approximately 85,000 Jews of Indian origin in Israel as of 2023, according to the Indian Embassy at Tel Aviv.
Among those who met Modi was Dr Riki Shahi, a council member in Ashkelon.
, about 75 kms southwest of Jerusalem, who described the prime minister as “doing a lot of things for people and we can see it in his actions.”
“He’s not talking a lot, but he’s doing a lot,” Shahi, the daughter of parents from Baroda, said. She said she had initiated a ‘Twin Cities’ programme between Baroda and Ashkelon.
HR manager Isaac Thangjon, born in Manipur, had come to Israel about five years ago. “The visit of Prime Minister Modi is nothing short of ‘great’.
Referring to the movement in the Israel government’s proposal to bring all the remaining 5,800 Jews from India’s north-eastern region, commonly referred to as Bnei Menashe, over the next five years, he said, “The stars are aligning themselves and things are looking very good.”
“I wish that Prime Minister Modi takes the Israel-India relationship to greater heights,” he said.
On Wednesday, Modi had witnessed what he described as “a memorable” performance of the song ‘I Love My India’ by an ensemble of Divyang artists, bringing together Indian-origin Jews and Israeli citizens.
“This beautifully celebrates the shared heritage and enduring bonds between India and Israel!” he said in a post on X later.
Also, while addressing the Knesset, PM Modi recognised the vibrant Indian-origin Jewish community in Israel and highlighted its immense contributions across education, culture, public life, and national service.
The main waves of immigration into Israel from India took place in the fifties and sixties, according to the Indian Embassy at Tel Aviv.
The majority is from Maharashtra (Bene Israelis) and relatively smaller numbers from Kerala (Cochini Jews) and Kolkata (Baghdadi Jews). In recent years, some Indian Jews from Mizoram and Manipur (Bnei Menache) have been immigrating to Israel, according to the Indian Embassy.
