India eyes boost in tech, defence ties as PM Modi begins two-day Israel visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday departed for a two-day State visit to Israel at the invitation of his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

In his departure statement, Modi described India and Israel as sharing a “robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership” that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years.

“I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains, including science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, technology, defence and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people ties,” the statement said.

The Prime Minister said the two leaders would also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

This will be Modi’s second visit to Israel.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday, Modi will also call on Israel’s President Isaac Herzog during the visit.

He will become the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset.

He termed the occasion “a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations.”

The MEA said the two prime ministers will review the progress made in the India-Israel strategic partnership and discuss further opportunities for cooperation in science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and the economy, as well as people-to-people exchanges.

Modi also said he looked forward to interacting with members of the Indian diaspora in Israel, who he noted have long nurtured the special friendship between the two countries.

“This visit will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and will present an opportunity to review the common challenges as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies,” the MEA said.