Marking a “political milestone” in the growing relationship between India and Israel, President Pranab Mukherjee arrived on Tuesday on a 3-day State visit, the first by an Indian Head of State.
Crossing over from Palestine after an overnight visit there, the Indian leader arrived in Israel where he has a packed schedule including an address on Wednesday to Israel’s Parliament, Knesset, a rare honour for a visiting dignitary.
A banquet by President Reuven Rivlin and a lunch with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu besides conferment of an honorary degree by Hebrew University of Jerusalem are among the highlights of Mukherjee’s schedule.
Describing Mukherjee’s visit as a “historic political milestone”, Rivlin told PTI that it reflected the continued strengthening of the relations between the two countries.
The visit would serve to deepen bilateral friendship in economic, scientific, medical, agricultural and other fields, the Israeli President said. Mukherjee said this will have a satellite centre in Ramallah and forward linkages with industry.
The President also gifted to the IT Centre of Al-Quds University 30 computers from India without the sophisticated communication equipment, which was held by the Israeli customs on grounds of security. India plans to replace the communication equipment not permitted by Israel with frequencies acceptable to Israel.
The President said the conferment of the doctorate on him was a sign of friendship and regard of the people of Palestine for India and for him.
He told the assembled audience that the university’s pursuit of scientific knowledge and advanced research placed it at the centre of Palestine’s national development programme.
Mukherjee said “India shares the perception that the Palestinian issue is at the centre of Arab-Israeli conflict. Peace and stability in the region is in India’s interest.” Mukherjee said one of the aims of his visit to Palestine is to suggest a framework for the future of India’s relationship with it.