New Delhi, February 22: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day official visit to Israel on February 25. This visit marks his second trip to the country since his historic journey in 2017. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted the significance of this upcoming visit, emphasizing the special relationship between Israel and India in recent years, as well as the partnership with “global power India.”
During a weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu shared his vision for the future, stating, “On Wednesday, my friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Israel. I envision a comprehensive system of alliances around or within the Middle East. This group of countries will share a perspective on reality, challenges, and goals, and will confront the radical axis.”
Netanyahu stressed the friendship between him and PM Modi, noting that they frequently communicate via phone and meet regularly. He described this visit as a step forward in a broader strategic framework aimed at creating a significant alliance system in the region, referred to as the “Hexagon of Alliance.” This system aims to unite like-minded countries to address regional challenges and combat radical forces.
He added, “We have a unique and, in my view, historic alliance with the United States, both at the state level and through my personal relationship with President Trump. This does not mean we do not seek other alliances; on the contrary, we are continuously developing them.”
Netanyahu believes this visit will strengthen such alliances and deepen cooperation between Israel and India in economic, diplomatic, and security matters. The itinerary for February 25-26 includes PM Modi addressing the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), visiting the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem with Netanyahu, and participating in an innovation event in Jerusalem focused on high-tech collaboration. This event will pay special attention to artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies.
This foreign visit comes nearly nine years after PM Modi’s historic trip in 2017, which was the first by any Indian Prime Minister to Israel, strengthening ties in defense, agriculture, water management, and innovation. Netanyahu’s visit to India in 2018 further solidified the partnership between the two nations.
Amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, PM Modi’s visit underscores the growing strategic alignment between India and Israel in areas such as counter-terrorism cooperation, defense supplies, and technology partnerships. Discussions during the meetings are expected to cover topics like trade expansion, defense agreements, cybersecurity, and regional stability.
This announcement has garnered attention amid Israel’s internal political circumstances, where some opposition leaders have raised procedural concerns regarding the Knesset address. The visit is viewed as a means to further strengthen the “robust alliance” between the two democratic nations, as both sides are keen to elevate their cooperation to tackle shared challenges and promote mutual development.
– Arpit Yajgnik/DSC
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