Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, was illuminated in the colors of the Indian flag. It is a symbolic tribute to a partnership that has steadily grown in strength and warmth.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana shared a nighttime image of the Parliament building draped in the Indian tricolor at X. The lights came on as Prime Minister Modi began his two-day state visit to Israel on February 25.
This move is seen as a tribute to him and a reflection of the expansion of India-Israel bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit, his second to Israel in nine years, aims to further deepen defense and trade cooperation. On his landmark 2017 trip, the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership. This meeting is expected to elevate this understanding to a special strategic partnership.
“The two countries have been reliable partners for many years and this has been proven during times of crisis. This was only officially acknowledged during Prime Minister Modi’s visit,” said a source quoted by news agency PTI.
The upgraded framework is expected to lay the foundation for joint development of advanced defense systems and a formal understanding to stand by each other when needed.
Prime Minister Modi will be welcomed by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sarah. The two leaders are scheduled to hold one-on-one talks before heading to Jerusalem.
One of the highlights of the visit will be Prime Minister Modi’s speech to the Knesset. This is a rare honor given only to select global leaders. He will also attend a technology exhibition on Israeli innovation and meet top executives. Netanyahu plans to host a private dinner in his honor during the trip.
Prime Minister Modi will visit the Yad Vashem memorial center on Thursday to pay tribute to Holocaust victims and then meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
In particular, several memorandums of understanding for defense cooperation are expected to be signed. “As part of the agreement, a secret mechanism will be established to open up several new categories that were hitherto unavailable,” sources told PTI.
According to local media reports, discussions are underway on an air defense system, including possible integration with Israel’s laser-based air defense system, Or Eitan.
In addition to defence, agreements are also expected in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and cybersecurity.
In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs said the visit “will reaffirm the deep and long-term strategic partnership between the two countries and provide an opportunity to review common challenges and recalibrate efforts to achieve a shared vision for a strong partnership between two resilient democracies.”
– end
(with input from PTI)
tune the frequency