PM Modi in Israel today: Knesset address to defence talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Israel on a two-day state visit today. This is PM Modi’s first visit to Israel as prime minister since 2017, before Netanyahu reciprocated with a visit to India the following year.
This is also PM Modi’s first trip to Israel after Israel and Hamas agreed on a ceasefire governed by the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict,” in October last year. Last week, India, together with more than 100 other nations, condemned Israel’s expansion in the West Bank.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the visit amid rising tensions between the US and Iran, with the Pentagon mobilising its military assets in the region. Iran and the US are expected to hold new talks in Geneva on Thursday over Iran’s nuclear programme.
“During the visit, the Prime Minister will meet the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu,” the MEA said in the statement.
The two leaders will review the significant progress made in India – Israel Strategic Partnership, and discuss further opportunities in various areas of cooperation, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people to people exchanges, the statement said adding that the two leaders are also expected to exchange perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Modi will also call on Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, during the visit.