Modi will be first Indian PM to visit Israel, trip from July 4

India and Israel will elevate their ties to a strategic partnership during Narendra Modi’s visit of “unprecedented importance” to that country from July 4, the first ever by an Indian prime minister.

Announcing the three-day visit, the external affairs ministry said it will provide an impetus for deeper bilateral engagement in areas of mutual interest.

Interacting with a select group of journalists, Israeli Ambassador Daniel Carmon said Modi’s visit is of “unprecedented importance with bilateral ties going through changing paradigm and changed architecture where there is no zero sum game and commitments and good relations with both sides can be maintained without contradiction”, in reference to India’s ties with Israel and the Arab countries.

Modi will be received by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu at the airport along with a “top protocol team” comprising Israelis from various fields including rabbis. This is a gesture only accorded to the Pope or US president, Carmon said.

The Israeli PM will also host a dinner for Modi on July 4. Netanyahu will accompany Modi to most of the events, including the community reception on July 5 after their official discussions during which the two leaders are expected to explore ways to enhance cooperation in key strategic areas.

The two sides are also expected to sign number of agreements in the field of innovation, development, science and technology and space. Apart from boosting cooperation in water and agriculture sectors, the two sides will discuss ways to strengthen people-to-people contact, air links and investments.