Keeping the momentum of his relationship with Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a meeting with former Israeli President Shimon Peres on Thursday expressed a strong desire to expand and strengthen relations with Israel both in traditional areas as well as in new areas of cooperation.
Modi had earlier met Peres in his capacity as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Following his visit to Israel, Modi said he had promoted use of drip / micro irrigation in the State and also set up an incubation center to support start-up companies with Israeli collaboration. During their meeting Modi said it was an honour for him to meet Peres, whose life was a source of inspiration for the entire world. He lauded the immense contribution of Peres to the world polity and the development of India-Israel relations, in particular.
Peres congratulated Modi on his victory in the elections and expressed deep appreciation for the ambitious programmes launched by him for India’s economic and social transformation saying they have struck the right balance between respect for tradition and use of modern technology. He added that India’s development and growth will be beneficial to the entire world. Peres conveyed Israel’s readiness to partner with India in its development efforts and, in this context, called for greater collaboration in the areas of new and higher technologies. He also shared his own vision of the way the introduction of new technologies would transform the human lives and the system of governance.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said India’s relationship with Israel has always been warm, robust and vibrant. “It is not a hidden relationship, nor does it impinge on our relations with Palestine and concerns for its problems,” said Syed Akbaruddin.