India and Israel on Wednesday signed seven agreements to increase cooperation in key sectors like space, agriculture and water conservation after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in-depth talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for setting up of $40 million worth India-Israel Industrial Research and Development (R&D) and Technical Innovation Fund.
The two countries also elevated their ties to the “strategic partnership” level with a vow to do “much more together” to combat growing radicalisation and terrorism and pitched for “strong measures” against those financing and providing sanctuaries to terror groups.
“This is a marriage made in heaven, but we are implementing it here on earth,” Netanyahu said, drawing a hearty laugh from Modi and a round of applause from the audience of mediapersons and diplomats.
Modi said, “We are of one view that together our scientists and researchers would develop, build and implement mutually beneficial solutions in the field. Our decision to establish a bilateral Technology Innovation Fund worth $40 million for research in industrial development will help us in achieving this goal. We regard thriving two-way trade and investment flows as the bedrock of a strong partnership. Netanyahu and I agreed on the need to do more in this direction. Businesses on both sides should take primary lead in such efforts.”
later at night, Modi addressed the Indian community at Tel Aviv Convention Centre, where he was given a rousing welcome amid chants of “Modi, Modi”.
He announced flight service between Delhi, Mumbai and Tel Aviv.
In a gift to the people of Indian community who have done compulsory army service in Israel, Modi said they will be given Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.
Talking about the mantra of his Government — reform, perform, and transform — the Indian PM said Make in India has become a brand.
Recognising the contribution of the Jewish community to India, Modi said there is only a smattering of Jews in India, but they have managed to excel in several fields like defence, arts, literature.
In the water sector, two agreements were signed to increase cooperation on water conservation and state water utility reform in India. Modi said that Israel is among the leading nations in the field of innovation, water and agricultural technology and “these are also among my priority areas in India’s development”. “We agreed that efficiency of water and resource use; water conservation and its purification; productivity increases in agriculture are key areas in deepening our bilateral cooperation,” he said.
In the agriculture sector, the two countries have agreed for India-Israel Development Cooperation — a three-year work programme in agriculture from 2018 to 2020.
They also agreed for cooperation regarding cooperation in atomic clocks.
Besides, separate MoUs were signed on cooperation in GEO-lEO optical link and cooperation in Electric Propulsion for small satellites.
Modi also said that during their talks he and Netanyahu agreed to to do much more together to combat terrorism to protect their strategic interests.
Modi also called on Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and how Israel’s cutting-edge technology could help the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Describing Israel as a real friend, Modi recalled Rivlin’s visit to India in November last year.