Modi seeks closer anti-terror ties in historic visit to Israel

NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi, who becomes the first Indian Prime Minister to embark on a bilateral visit to Israel, has said that New Delhi and Tel Aviv need to cooperate more closely in battling the “global menace” of terrorism.

Modi told newspaper Israel Hayom in an interview that his three-day visit, starting on Tuesday, had “its own significance as this is the first time ever that an Indian PM is visiting Israel” and would strengthen ties between the two countries.

“India and Israel are not immune to it (terrorism). We are in full agreement that elements which perpetrate violence on innocent people should not be allowed to flourish,” the Prime Minister said.

Underlining the need for cooperation in combating terror, he said: “These troublemakers often misuse religion as a tool to misguide youth in our country and our regions. Terrorism should not be equated with any particular religion.”

Modi is expected to meet ‘Baby Moshe’, who survived the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks though his parents, Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, were killed in the Chabad House in Colaba. Moshe is now 11.

India and Israel established full-fledged diplomatic ties 25 years ago and Modi is expected to lay the future road map.

“No Indian president or prime minister had visited Israel before our president (Pranab Mukherjee) visited in 2015... My forthcoming visit reminds us of the deep and centuries old connect between our societies,” Modi said.

Historically, India has walked a tightrope in the region, seeking to balance relations between Arab states and Palestine in keeping with its long-held non-aligned foreign policy.