Indo-Israel friendship a match made in heaven: Israel PM
MUMBAI: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday termed his country’s partnership with India as one “made in heaven”, which rests on shared values of love for humanity, democracy and freedom.
Addressing the India-Israel Business Summit here, Netanyahu mentioned the “deep personal friendship” he shares with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, adding that the warmth goes deeper, right up to the common man.
On the last leg of his four-day India visit, which he described as extraordinary, Netanyahu said there is a deep and abiding respect for India, it’s people and culture.
He also visited the Chabad House and termed it a unique blend of love and hatred towards the people of Israel.
He was addressing people at the Chabad House, or the Nariman House, after meeting 11-year-old Moshe Holtzberg whose father Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and mother Rivka were killed along with six others there during the 26/11 terror attacks.
“This place is a unique merge between love for Israeli people and the hatred towards the people of Israel. The nation of Israel is known for salvation,” Netanyahu told the gathering in Hebrew.
At the business summit, while appealing to Indian businesses to invest in Israel, he said, “We are the two oldest cultures on earth. We are democracies, we share our love for freedom, and we share our love for humanity. We are truly your partners.” Netanyahu said there is a similarity between how he changed the landscape in Israel after inheriting an economy with trouble on multiple fronts, and the way Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working.
Curtailing excessive regulations, which are “barriers to competition”, and empowering private enterprise, is the key for instant growth, Netanyahu said, adding that he had undertaken these steps.
Netanyahu reiterated the importance of innovation, a subject he touched during his ‘power breakfast’ meet with select chief executives of Indian companies, and said it is important for businesses to innovate without any hindrance.
Israelis collaborate with Indians in California to make Silicon Valley a hub of innovation, Netanyahu said.
“We have to bring the talents of Indians and Israelis together,” Netanyahu said, referring to efforts on getting a direct flight link between India and Israel as an effort in this direction.
“This is the beginning of a wonderful, ancient friendship and the possibilities are boundless,” he said.