A day before he departs for Israel for a historic visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi exuded confidence that the tour will boost ties between the two nations. Modi will travel to Israel on July 4-6 upon the invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This will be followed by a trip to Hamburg on July 6, to attend the 12th G-20 Summit hosted by Germany.
Modi will be the first Indian PM to visit Israel even though he has been to the country in 2006 as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. In a special gesture, Netanyahu will personally receive Modi at Ben Gurion Airport. The Israeli leader has shown such a special gesture only for the Presidents of the United States of America, including the recent visit by Donald Trump, and the Pope.
“As the first Indian Prime Minister to do so, I am greatly looking forward to this unprecedented visit that will bring our two countries and people closer. This year, India and Israel are marking 25 years of our diplomatic relations. I will have in-depth talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu on the full spectrum of our partnership and strengthening it in diverse fields for mutual benefit. We will also have the chance to discuss major common challenges like terrorism,” Modi said on Monday.
“I will meet President Reuven Rivlin who I had the pleasure of receiving in New Delhi in November last year, as well as other senior leaders. My programme during the visit gives me an opportunity to engage with a cross-section of Israeli society. I am particularly looking forward to interacting with the large vibrant Indian diaspora in Israel that represents an enduring link between our two peoples,” Modi added.
On the economic side, the PM said he will meet with leading Indian and Israeli CEOs and start-ups to discuss shared priority of expanding business and investment collaboration on the ground. “In addition, I hope to get insights into Israel’s accomplishments in technology and innovation through on-site visits,” he added.
In an interview to newspaper Israel Hayom, Modi said the two countries are ready to take the relationship to a new level. However, he added that India’s position at the United Nations with regard to issues related to Israel will be merit-based. He further said that India strongly believes in a two-state policy where both Israel and future Palestine state can peacefully co-exist.
Modi said New Delhi and Tel Aviv can “cooperate even more closely” in battling terrorism.
Modi also told Israel Hayom that his three-day visit to Israel, the first by any Indian Prime Minister, had its own significance and would further strengthen bilateral ties.
During his stay, Modi will visit the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum to honour the memory of the victims of the holocaust that counts among the greatest tragedies in human history. later, he will also pay respects to the courageous Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the liberation of Haifa in 1918.
On the evening of July 6, Modi will travel to Hamburg for the 12th G-20 Summit. The theme for G-20 Summit this year is ‘Shaping an Inter-connected World’.
“I look forward to engaging leaders from other G-20 countries on the vital issues affecting our world today that have a bearing on economic growth, sustainable development, and peace and stability. We will review progress on decisions since the Hangzhou Summit last year and deliberate on issues of terrorism, climate, sustainable development, growth and trade, digitalisation, health, employment, migration, women’s empowerment, and partnership with Africa. As in the past, I look forward to the opportunity to meet leaders on the side lines of the summit to exchange views on bilateral matters of mutual interest,” the Prime Minister said.