PM to address Knesset in historic first
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday departed for a two-day State visit to Israel, expressing confidence that the trip would further strengthen bilateral cooperation and elevate the strategic partnership between the two nations.
As he left for the visit, PM Modi said he was looking forward to engaging with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, to deepen collaboration across sectors and exchange views on key regional and global issues.
This marks PM Modi’s second visit to Israel after his landmark 2017 trip, which opened new avenues of cooperation in defence, agriculture and water management. During the current visit, both nations are expected to establish new goals for their Strategic Partnership and advance their shared vision for an innovative and prosperous future.
‘Robust and multifaceted strategic partnership’
In his departure statement, PM Modi said, “India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years. I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains, including science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, defence and security, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people ties.”
He added that he would also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest with the Israeli Prime Minister.
During the visit, PM Modi will meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog to discuss bilateral ties and shared priorities.
In a historic first, PM Modi will address the Knesset. He said, “I will also have the honour of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, an occasion that would be a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations.”
The Prime Minister also expressed his eagerness to meet members of the Indian diaspora in Israel, stating, “I am confident that my State Visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries, set new goals for the Strategic Partnership, and advance our shared vision for a resilient, innovative and prosperous future.”
MEA: Visit to reaffirm deep strategic ties
Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the visit would reaffirm the long-standing and deep-rooted partnership between the two democracies.
The MEA noted, “This visit will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and will present an opportunity to review the common challenges as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies.”
PM Modi features on front page of Jerusalem Post
PM Modi featured prominently on the front page of Israel’s leading daily Jerusalem Post, on Wednesday (local time), ahead of his two-day visit to Israel. The newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief, Zvika Klein, shared the front page of the day’s edition on social media, which carried a photograph of Prime Minister Modi waving, along with multiple stories focusing on his Israel visit and the growing ties between India and Israel.
Netanyahu calls visit ‘historic’
Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu described PM Modi’s arrival as a milestone in bilateral ties. Sharing a video from a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on X, the Israeli Prime Minister referred to PM Modi as a “dear friend” and underscored the strength of the India-Israel alliance.
Responding to Netanyahu’s message, PM Modi posted, “Thank you, my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu. I fully agree with you on the bond between India and Israel as well as the diverse nature of our bilateral relations. India deeply values the enduring friendship with Israel, built on trust, innovation and a shared commitment to peace and progress. Looking forward to our discussions during my upcoming Israel visit.”
Netanyahu, in his remarks to his cabinet, termed PM Modi’s visit a historic moment and spoke of forging a broader “axis of nations” in the Middle East — an alliance of like-minded countries united against radical forces and committed to stability, security and technological advancement.
Highlighting their personal rapport, Netanyahu described PM Modi not just as a partner but as a “personal friend”, noting their frequent exchanges and mutual visits.
Detailing the engagements planned during the visit, Netanyahu said, “On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive. He will address the Knesset, and I am sure you will all be there. We will also hold an innovation event in Jerusalem and visit Yad Vashem together. I will also note something else, a special collaboration. We will advance cooperation in high-tech, AI, and quantum. I say AI and quantum not because it’s not the future, it’s the present, and we want to be among the world’s leading nations in this field”.
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