New Delhi, Feb 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-day visit to Israel on Wednesday, marking his second trip to the country since his 2017 visit. This trip aims to further enhance the strategic partnership between India and Israel across various sectors and reaffirm their shared vision for an innovative, resilient, and prosperous future.

In a statement before his departure, PM Modi expressed excitement about his upcoming engagements with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He highlighted the longstanding and dynamic nature of the India-Israel strategic partnership, which has made significant strides in areas such as defense, agriculture, water management, science, technology, and innovation. The Prime Minister emphasized his desire to strengthen cooperation in these fields and address regional and global issues of mutual interest during his discussions with Netanyahu.

A key feature of this visit is PM Modi’s address to the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to speak there. He called this a tribute to the strong democratic and parliamentary ties between the two nations. Additionally, he looks forward to interacting with the Indian diaspora in Israel, who have long played a role in nurturing the India-Israel relationship.

During the visit, PM Modi will also meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to discuss bilateral issues. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that this visit will reaffirm the enduring strategic partnership between the two countries and offer an opportunity to realign efforts toward a robust partnership and address shared challenges.

Before his departure, PM Modi responded to a heartfelt tribute by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, where Netanyahu described PM Modi as a “dear friend” and hailed his visit as a milestone in India-Israel relations. Netanyahu also shared a vision of strengthening a broader “axis of nations” in the Middle East to promote stability, security, and technological advancements, with particular focus on high-tech, AI, and quantum technologies.

PM Modi reciprocated Netanyahu’s warm sentiments, stating that India deeply values its friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation, and a mutual commitment to peace and progress. He expressed his anticipation for the discussions ahead, which will further consolidate the special bond between the two nations.

The visit is expected to set new goals for the strategic partnership and advance cooperation in high-tech industries, further solidifying the India-Israel alliance as a key pillar in global affairs.