India and Israel exchanged nine agreements for cooperation in different areas including cyber security, oil and gas, space and science and technology, civil aviation, information and broadcasting and health. The agreements were exchanged after delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu held delegation level talks in New Delhi this afternoon. During the talks, both the leaders discussed host of issues including defence cooperation, trade, innovation, counter terrorism, agriculture and water harvesting.
Prime minister Narendra Modi has said discussions between him and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu were wide ranging and were marked by the desire to do more. In his opening remarks after the delegation level talks, Mr Modi said he has invited Israeli companies in India to take advantage of liberalised FDI norms in defence sector. Stating that thriving two-way trade and investment is an integral part of vision for a strong partnership, Prime Minister said, he and Mr. Netanyahu have agreed on the need to do more in this direction.
He said they exchanged views on scaling up the Centers of Excellence that have been a main-stay of agricultural cooperation by bringing in advanced Israeli practices and technology.
He said the two nations will strengthen the existing pillars of cooperation in areas of agriculture, science and technology and security that touch the lives of our peoples.
The Prime Minister said, the two countries are venturing into less explored areas of cooperation, such as oil and gas, cyber security, films, and start-ups to diversify and broad-base engagement.
Mr Modi said, his government is cutting down bureaucratic red tape to forge ahead with speed. He said, India is working with Israel to make it easier for the people to work and visit each other’s countries, including for longer work durations.
Also, an Indian Cultural Center will soon open in Israel to bring people closer on both sides. The two leaders also decided to start an annual exchange of bilateral visits by 100 young people from science-related educational streams.
Israel Prime minister Benjanim Netanyahu hailed Prime minister Narenda Modi saying he has revolutionised the relationship between the two countries. In his opening remarks after the delegation level talks, Mr Netanyahu said India and Israel demonstrate the intrinsic value of freedom. Saying India and Israel share an ancient past, the visting prime minister said both the countries are resilient democracies.
Mr Netanyahu was given a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those present during the ceremony. Talking to reporters after the ceremony, Israel Prime Minister said, his visit to New Delhi is the dawn of a new era in friendship between India and Israel.
Mr Netanyahu said, it began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Israel that created tremendous enthusiasm. Mr Netanyahu said, it continues with his visit to India. He added that the flourishing partnership can bring prosperity, peace and progress for the people of both the countries.
It is the first visit of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to India. He yesterday arrived on a six-day visit. The visit of Mr Netanyahu is in connection with the celebration of 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Mr Modi had visited Israel in July last year. The bilateral relationship was upgraded to strategic level with special focus on agriculture and water.
Tommorrow, Mr Netanyahu will inaugurate the third edition of the annual Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. During his stay, the Israeli Prime Minister will also visit Agra, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.