First Indian Prime Minister to Address Knesset, Focus on Strategic Partnership and Future Cooperation
PM Modi to Visit Israel: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday termed his upcoming visit to Israel as a historical and looking-ahead engagement, emphasizing the “depth and dynamism of the India-Israel strategic partnership.” In his departure statement, PM Modi said that it was a privilege for him to be the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset, adding that it was a “tribute to the deep democratic and parliamentary ties between our two countries.”
Before his meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, PM Modi said that India and Israel have a “robust and multifaceted strategic partnership” that has experienced “remarkable” growth in the past few years. He expressed his optimism that the visit would help to further consolidate the “enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation” between the two countries.
“I look forward to my meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu, which would be aimed at further strengthening our cooperation in various fields,” PM Modi said. He emphasized the following areas of cooperation: science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water, defense and security, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties.
The Prime Minister also said that both leaders would share their views on important regional and international issues of common interest, which is a result of the increasing convergence of views between New Delhi and Jerusalem on international issues.
The Prime Minister described his speech at the Israeli Parliament as a “special honour” and said that it represents the “shared values of democracy” that exist between India and Israel. “It will be an occasion to pay tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic links that bind our two nations,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said that he was “looking forward to meeting the members of the Indian diaspora in Israel,” and thanked them for their role in developing the friendship between the two countries over the years. “The Indian diaspora in Israel is an important bridge that connects our societies,” he said.
The visit is expected to establish new objectives for the India-Israel strategic partnership and work towards a shared vision of a resilient, innovative, and prosperous future, further strengthening the relationship that has grown extensively in the political, economic, and security spheres.
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