BICOM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel yesterday as the two countries celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations.

Modi was greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a welcome ceremony at Ben Gurion International Airport where Netanyahu told Modi and his delegation: “We receive you with open arms. We love India. We admire your culture, we admire your history, your democracy, your commitment to progress …we view you as kindred spirits in our common quest to provide a better future for our peoples and for our world.”

In reply Modi said it was a “singular honour” to be the first sitting Prime Minister of India to visit Israel.

Modi and Netanyahu drove together to visit the Danziger flower farm, a family business that exports all over the world. On the occasion of the visit, the Danziger farm named a strain of white chrysanthemum after Modi.

The Prime Ministers visited Yad Vashem and placed a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance. Afterwards, they made an unscheduled stop to visit the grave of Theodor Herzl.

In the afternoon Modi and Netanyahu addressed a joint press conference and reaffirmed their determination to fight against terrorism. Netanyahu said that India and Israel “can do great things for a better future for our people. We also face common challenges, first to defeat the forces of terror we need to stand and work together”.

Modi replied by saying: “We face several common challenges. We must resolutely oppose evils of terrorism, radicalism and violence.” Modi also said that the “common objectives of economic prosperity, strong technology and innovation ties and the need to secure our societies define the space for convergent action between us”.

The Israel Space Agency in the Science Ministry yesterday signed a unique agreement with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) which focuses on adapting Israeli technologies to the extreme conditions of outer space. It is expected that eight commercial agreements will be signed between Indian corporations and leading Israeli corporations in the fields of security, energy and medicine during Modi’s visit.

In the evening, Modi was hosted at the Prime Minister’s residence for a vegetarian dinner prepared by Israeli-Indian chef Reena Pushkarna. Modi will meet Israeli President Reuven Rivlin today.