On a historic visit that started with firm handshakes, hugs and a smattering of Hindi and Hebrew, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get down to business today with back-to-back meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders that will focus on cooperation on defence, security, water and more. Apart from the multiple pacts that the two strategic partners are expected to seal at Wednesday's meetings, the two leaders are also expected to deliver a strong message against terrorism in their joint statement. Both leaders had yesterday spoken in one voice to resolutely combat terrorism and radicalism.
Here are your 10-point guide to PM Narendra Modi's Israel visit:
- "We've been waiting for you a long time. We've been waiting almost 70 years in fact... The connection between us is natural, so natural that we might ask, "What took so long?" said Mr Netanyahu, who was at Tel Aviv's airport with the country's top leadership to receive PM Modi, a welcome at par with that given to US Presidents.
- Mr Netanyahu, who usually meets visiting heads of government for a meeting and over dinner or lunch meeting, will accompany PM Modi, who he fondly referred to as "my friend", to most engagements including an address to the Indian community in Jerusalem. This gesture, he said, "befits the leader of the largest democracy in the world".
- At a dinner later hosted at his official residence in Jerusalem, Mr Netanyahu said although the two countries are unequal in size, "we are equal in spirit". Israel, which has emerged as India's top arms supplier, is 13 times national capital Delhi's area with less than half of its population.
- The Israeli PM also spoke of common challenges the two countries face; "the first of it is to defeat the force of terror that rampage through the world and threaten both our countries".
- PM Modi, who had described it "his singular honour" to be the first Indian PM to undertake "this groundbreaking visit", responded by calling for "a robust security partnership to respond to shared threats to our peace, stability and prosperity".
- The visit is seen as historic not just for the pacts that will be signed but because this is the first time that New Delhi is not bashful about Israel any more. PM Modi will not travel to Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority and a customary stop for visiting leaders trying to maintain a balance in political ties.
- On Tuesday, Mr Netanyahu announced a US $ 40 million Innovation Fund for greater cooperation in technology. He also referred to PM Modi's signature "Make in India" scheme and said it fitted well with Israel's "Make with India" policy.
- The centerpiece of the collaboration is the Barak-8 air defence system, built jointly by the two countries in a boost for PM Modi's campaign to develop a domestic defence industry and reduce arms imports.
- PM Modi will also discuss a plan for Israeli help in boosting India's food security. The plan is to expand 26 agriculture expertise centres that Israel has set up in 15 Indian states to help increase output of everything from vegetables to mangoes and pomegranates.
- Experts say the high-profile visit to mark 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries is a significant diplomatic achievement for the Netanyahu government as well, particularly given how it is constantly searching for allies at the United Nations. Last year, Israel had heartily welcomed India abstaining from resolutions critical of Israel at the UN, the UN Human Rights Council and UNESCO
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