I for I: India, Israel move from friends to partners
Countries reiterate commitment to fighting terror, sign 7 agreements
India and Israel elevated their relationship to a “strategic partnership” on Wednesday, pledging to work more closely to protect their key interests and combat radicalisation and terrorism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu oversaw the signing of a series of bilateral pacts for cooperation on satellite technology, water and agriculture, as well as the creation of a $40 million innovation fund.
Netanyahu described the collaboration as a “marriage made in heaven” (he described IsraeliChinese relations in exact same words to Xi Jinping in March), drawing a hearty laugh from Modi and the audience.
The two leaders often smiled and exchanged bear hugs, continuing with a stunning display of warmth that has marked Modi’s three-day trip, the first by an Indian Prime Minister.
“I have a feeling that today India and Israel are changing our world and maybe changing parts of the world,” Netanyahu said.
To this, Modi said: “Our goal is to build a relationship that reflects our shared priorities and draws on enduring bonds between our peoples.”
He said his visit was an opportunity to “compose a new chapter in our ties” and “jointly venture towards new horizons of engagement”.
Israel has portrayed Modi’s visit as a major diplomatic feat, especially in view of the Indian leader’s decision not to travel to Ramallah to meet Palestinian leaders — as is common among many dignitaries seeking to balance ties with the Arab world.
Today it is ‘I to I and I for I’. When I say ‘I for I’... what I mean is India with Israel, India for Israel. NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister