Jerusalem, February 25: During a two-day visit to Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Israeli Parliament on Wednesday. His presence sparked remarkable enthusiasm among the attendees. In his speech, Modi recalled his first visit to Israel nine years ago and expressed his happiness at being back once again.
Modi referenced the Hamas attack that occurred on October 7, extending his condolences to the victims. He stated, “We understand your pain. We stand firmly with you.” He emphasized that no justification can validate the killing of innocent people. Addressing the issue of terrorism, he noted that India has also endured the pain of terrorism, recalling the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which claimed many innocent lives, including those of Israeli citizens.
He highlighted that the Jewish community in India lives without fear of oppression or discrimination, practicing their faith freely and fully participating in society. This record is a source of pride for India.
Modi stressed the need for continuous and collective action worldwide to combat terrorism, as it poses a threat to peace everywhere. He reassured the people of Israel that India will always stand by them in their pursuit of peace.
Reflecting on his first visit to Israel in 2006 as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he mentioned that during his 2017 visit as Prime Minister, both nations elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership. Since then, his engagement has deepened, with commitments to strengthen ties across various sectors.
He noted that Israel is often referred to as a startup nation. In recent years, India has been working to harness the innovation and creativity of its youth. Modi recalled the inauguration of the iCreate tech business incubator in India in 2018, which has since supported around 900 startups. Last week, India hosted the world’s largest and most democratized AI Impact Summit with representatives from over 100 countries.
Modi affirmed India’s commitment to enhancing trade, strengthening investment flows, and promoting joint infrastructure development. The bilateral investment treaty signed last year will provide confidence and predictability for businesses. In recent years, India has entered into several trade agreements with other countries.
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