PM Modi to visit Israel later this year

[Hindustani78]

Modi may include Palestine to Israel itinerary

Anirban Bhaumik, NEW DELHI, July 5, 2015, DHNS:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may tag along a short tour to Ramallah with his proposed visit to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv later this year in order to scotch speculation about New Delhi’s departure from its policy of supporting the Palestinian cause in the wake of India’s growing ties with Israel.

As India’s decision to abstain from voting on a resolution in United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday once again fuelled speculation about New Delhi getting too close to Israel to sustain its traditional stand of supporting the cause of Palestine, the Modi government is keen to dismiss such an interpretation.

Modi’s proposed visits to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are intended to send a strong message about his government’s desire to give a fillip to India’s ties with Israel. He would be the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel, although the two nations formally established diplomatic relations in 1992.

Officials, however, told Deccan Herald that the government was also contemplating a short tour by Prime Minister to Palestine at the end of his tour to Israel.

A senior official in New Delhi said that the prime minister’s tour to Ramallah after his visit to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem would help India maintain a balance and avert hurting its ties with Arab States.

His visit to Ramallah and his meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah would also help the government avoid sending out a wrong message to Muslims, both in India and elsewhere in the world. The government is understood to be contemplating a visit by prime minister to some of the Arab States in Persian Gulf before his tour to Israel.

Modi received a congratulatory call from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately after he took over as the prime minister in May 2014. The two leaders later had a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2014. Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Israel in November 2014. Israel’s Agriculture Minister Yair Shamir took part in Vibrant Gujarat meet in Ahmedabad last January. Moshe Ya’alon became Israel’s first defence minister to visit India when he came to New Delhi, met his counterpart Manohar Parrikar and called on Modi. The prime minister’s visit is likely to focus on boosting counter-terrorism and defence ties between India and Israel.

Apart from political support, India continues to support development and nation-building efforts of Palestine. New Delhi contributes $ 1 million annually to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East. India pledged $4 million in response to the National Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. New Delhi is also implementing development projects in Palestine, jointly with Brazil and South Africa within the framework of IBSA, and pledged $1 million for a new project to reconstruct the Atta Habib medical centre in Gaza.

The UNHRC on Friday adopted a resolution condemning Israel for alleged war crimes committed by its armed forces during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza and West Bank.

 

[Hindustani78]

Palestinian Ambassador to India Adnan Abu Alhaija. Photo: V. Sudershan

PM Modi is expected to visit Palestine along with Israel and perhaps other countries. What is likely to be discussed during the visit, and is there any confirmation on when it is likely to be?

We might expect it at the end of this year or the beginning of 2016, but there is no confirmation yet, and neither us nor the Israelis are yet aware. We are in the middle of the political discussions on what will be the agenda of the visit. The MEA’s secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa is leaving for Palestine and Israel today ahead of Ms. Swaraj and PM Modi’s visit. We hope to sign several agreements as well, in the field of Agriculture, Education, Security issues. And we hope to move on from this (vote at the UNHRC). We will still like to believe that this incident is merely an aberration and doesn’t reflect India’s diplomatic history and its desire to help the oppressed people of the world. We will still like to believe that this was a one-off incident and not a trend.

There has been criticism that despite PM Modi visiting so many continents in the past year, he made no visit to West Asia. Recently he invited ambassadors of some countries in the region, and he is planning his visit to Palestine later this year… is the criticism valid?

We hope that this is a missed or late start, but that he will include the whole Arab world in upcoming visits. This is a relationship not just based on commerce and profits, and goes beyond the nearly $200 billion traded and 7-8 million Indians working there. Those are measures of a relationship that is built on history and values and ethics. And we hope that we will move on from this moment, and there will not be any major shift in our relationship.

 

[Hindustani78]

India's stand at UNHRC a qualitative leap in ties: Israel | Zee News
Wadhwa, speaking to PTI, however, said that India has already clarified its position on the UNHRC vote which was a "principled" one in connection to the ICC (International Criminal Court) which was referenced in the resolution.

"We have communicated to the Israeli side about our position and I am also going to convey the same to the Palestinian side when I meet their leadership later today and tomorrow," Wadhwa said.

"The FOC covers the whole gamut of bilateral relations and we?focused?on strengthening and expanding our engagement in various fields, especially agriculture and science and technology".

 

[Hindustani78]

Abbas has accepted, understood India's stand at UNHCR: Aide | Zee News
Last Updated: Thursday, July 9, 2015 - 17:53


Ramallah: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has "accepted and understood" India's recent abstention from voting on Gaza conflict in the UNHCR and hoped that "nothing has changed in Palestine's traditional ties with India", his top aide said on Thursday.

"President Abbas has accepted and understood that India's vote was on technical and not political grounds. Our relations are historical, steady and strong," diplomatic advisor to Abbas, Majdi Khaldi, told PTI.

"We appreciate India's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause and are certain that it will continue and we will not be let down in the future at the UN or any other international forum," he added.

During the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees vote last week, India abstained during voting on a UN report critical of Israel's offensive in Gaza, a position that generated a lot of enthusiasm in Israel and was seen as a "dramatic" and "significant shift" in India's policy.

India has, however, maintained that the vote does not mark any shift in its policy on the Palestinian cause.

Khaldi, a close aide to Abbas, also expressed hopes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will accept his invitation and visit Palestine later this year.

"We are looking forward to the visit of Foreign Minister (Sushma Swaraj) and Prime Minister Modi later this year. It will go a long way in strengthening our ties," he said.

Secretary (East) at Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Anil Wadhwa, met Abbas late yesterday evening and has also held discussions with several other Palestinian officials and think-tanks since yesterday.

Palestinian officials said that the Indian official presented a "clear and convincing" logic behind India's vote which "helped clarify" the issue.

Wadhwa is said to have told Abbas that India took a "principled stand" in abstaining at the UNHCR vote on Gaza.

Majdi said that the Indian diplomat also clearly conveyed to the Palestinian officials that "there is no change in India's traditional and longstanding support for the Palestinian cause".

"India is a longstanding friend of Palestine and will continue to be on their side in times of need", the Indian official is said to have stated.

Abbas is said to have also expressed his "deep appreciation" for all the help India has extended to the Palestinian people.

India's abstention at the UNHCR vote had generated a lot of interest in Israel with officials in Jerusalem hailing it as a "qualitative" leap in bilateral ties that made it a "normal relation without hangups", despite India's denial regarding any change in policy.

The 50-day Gaza war killed 1,462 civilians, and left 11,231 injured on the Palestinian side. Six Israeli civilians were also killed in the war.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Top diplomat to placate Palestine
Anirban Bhaumik, NEW DELHI: July 13, 2015, dhns:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a senior diplomat to soothe the ruffled feathers in Ramallah, after New Delhi’s recent abstention from voting on an anti-Israel resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) fuelled speculation about India changing its long-standing policy of supporting the cause of Palestine.

Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah in Ramallah last week. He explained to them that New Delhi’s abstention should not be construed as a sign of change in India’s long-standing policy of supporting the cause of Palestine.

New Delhi also used Wadhwa’s visit to highlight India’s assistance to Palestine. The Palestinian leaders had earlier this week conveyed to New Delhi their disappointment over India’s abstention.

According to the MEA officials in New Delhi, Wadhwa’s meeting with Abbas and Hamdallah saw both sides discussing India-Palestine “bilateral relations and issues related to the West Asia and the stalled Middle East Peace Process”.

According to the sources in New Delhi, Wadhwa conveyed to the two leaders that New Delhi had to abstain from voting on the resolution as it called for a preliminary examination by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into alleged war crimes with scopes for follow-up investigations.

India is not a signatory to the Rome Statute establishing the ICC. Palestine signed the Rome Statute on January 2 last. Israel was a signatory to the document establishing the ICC, but withdrew in 2002.

Wadhwa is learnt to have pointed out that India had always abstained from voting on any resolution at the UNHRC if it had reference to the ICC. He cited the earlier UNHRC resolutions on Syria and North Korea for example.

The MEA Secretary reiterated that India continues to support the Palestinian people’s struggle for a sovereign Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital. India was the first non-Arab country to recognise Palestine way back in 1988.

India’s growing ties with Israel after the BJP’s ascent to power, however, fuelled speculation about New Delhi reviewing its position on Palestine.

India contributes $1 million annually to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East. It pledged $4 million to the National Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza.

 

[Hindustani78]

No change in position on supporting Palestinian cause: Govt | Zee News
Last Updated: Thursday, August 6, 2015 - 21:32

New Delhi: India on Thursday insisted that there was no change in its long-standing position on supporting the Palestinian cause and that the abstention from voting on a resolution adopted at the UN rights body last month was due to a reference made to International Criminal Court.

Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said India's abstention was on account of a "direct action-oriented reference made in the resolution to the International Criminal Court, of which India is not a member".

On July 3, India for the first time abstained from voting on an anti-Israel resolution adopted at the UN Human Right's Council meeting in Geneva. It had called for accountability by parties involved in last year's conflict in Gaza.

The resolution on ensuring accountability and justice for "all violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territory", including East Jerusalem was adopted UNHRC with 41 votes in favour, five abstentions and one vote against it.

India abstained from voting along with Ethiopia, Kenya, Macedonia and Paraguay.

The resolution was related to the report of the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza conflict in which a total of 1,462 civilians were killed.

PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

India underlines unwavering support to Palestinian cause | Zee News

Last Updated: Tuesday, September 8, 2015 - 18:00
Brussels: India has once again stressed its support for the struggle of the Palestinian people to create an independent and viable Palestinian state .

"India`s steadfast support and continuing commitment to Palestine is rooted in our modern history that goes back to our own struggle for independence," Ankan Banerjee, counsellor at the Indian embassy here, told an international conference on Palestine taking place in the Belgian capital.

He noted that AIndia`s position on the issue of Palestine has always been firm and clear.

"India re-affirms its support for the Palestine cause and expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people for their struggle for a sovereign, independent, viable and a united state of Palestine within secure and recognized borders side-by-side and at peace with Israel with East Jerusalem as its capital, as endorsed in the Quartet Roadmap and relevant UNSC Resolutions," Banerjee said.

The conference, organised by the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People in Brussels was held on Monday and Tuesday. The theme of the meeting was "Israeli Settlements as an Obstacle To Peace...Possible Ways Forward""

Banerjee noted that this international meeting was happening a year after last year`s unfortunate escalation of the Gaza conflict.

"We are worried that since last year, there has been a downward trend in the peace process despite efforts for serious negotiations between the parties which remained inconclusive. India remains firmly convinced that dialogue remains the only viable option that can effectively address the issue," Banerjee underlined.

Apart from political support to the Palestinian cause, India continues to support the development and nation-building efforts of Palestine by consistently extending it technical and financial assistance, he said.

In July 2015, a new secondary school for Girls in Asera Al-Shamalyeh in Palestine was inaugurated. This is a part of India`s larger capacity building initiatives in Palestine.

India contributes $1 million annually to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

India pledged and contributed $4 million in response to the National Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza.

"We are undertaking important bilateral development projects in the areas of health, education, skill development, vocational training as well as providing budgetary support to the Palestinian government," said the Indian diplomat.

A large number of diplomats and representatives of civil societies and academics took part in the conference.

IANS

India supports building of two schools in Palestine -- India Representative Office in Ramallah press release/Non-UN document (20 May 2014)
20/05/2014
India, today transferred the second installment for an amount of 700,000 US$ to the Ministry of Education, State of Palestine as a part of the MoU signed to support building of two schools (i) Jawaharlal Nehru Secondary School for Girls in Asera Al Shamalyeh and (ii) Jawaharlal Nehru Secondary School for Boys in Abu Dees in Palestine. The MoU was signed during the visit of President Mahmoud Abbas to India in 2012. The value of the project is 1.8 million US$. The construction of the two schools are in progress. The Representative of India, Mr. B.S. Mubarak presented the cheque of 700,000 US$ to Mr. Fawaz Mujahed, Director General, Ministry of Education on May 20, 2014.

Ramallah, State of Palestine

July 09, 2015

H.E. Mr Anil Wadhwa, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India alongwith Governor of Nablus and Deputy Minister of Education inaugurated Jawaharlal Nehru Secondary School for Girls in Asera al-Shamalyeh, Palestine.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/599082/doval-meets-israeli-leadership-preparation.html
Jerusalem, Mar 2, 2017 (PTI)
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has held talks with Israel's top leadership here as part of preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit, the first by an Indian premier to the Jewish country.

Modi is expected to visit Israel by the middle of this year. In preparation for Modi's historical visit to Israel, Doval was on a two-day visit to the country. He landed in Israel yesterday and called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Jerusalem office.

Doval also met his counterpart, Israel's acting National Security Adviser and Head of the National Security Council, Brig. Gen. (retd) Jacob Nagel. The discussions "revolved around Prime Minister Modi's expected visit this summer", officials here told PTI.

Doval left for India this morning. Earlier this week, sources in the Ministry of External Affairs had indicated that the visit could take place somewhere around June. Netanyahu is also likely to visit India this year.

The two nations are celebrating 25 years of diplomatic ties this year. New Delhi formally recognised Israel on September 17, 1950. Embassies were opened in 1992 when full diplomatic relations were established.

Modi's likely visit to Israel comes after a number of high-level bilateral visits in recent years. President Pranab Mukherjee visited Israel in October, 2015, followed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to the Jewish nation last year.

Last November, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin also visited India.

 

[Soumitra]

Change of policy? PM Modi will visit Israel, but skip Palestine
Sachin Parashar| TNN | Updated: Mar 4, 2017, 03.16 AM IST
HIGHLIGHTS

• This decision underscores the “de-hyphenation” of India’s relations with the two West Asian states
• Modi’s visit is a significant step in openly embracing a relationship that his predecessors fostered
• In a balancing act, India is likely to host Palestinian before Modi sets off for Israel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Israel in July, the first by an Indian Prime Minister, will not see him travelling to Palestine, a decision that underscores the "de-hyphenation" of India's relations with the two West Asian states.

Modi's visit, billed as historic, is a significant step in openly embracing a relationship that his predecessors fostered while avoiding public displays. Contrary to expectations that Modi would include Palestine in his itinerary too, like many ministers did in the past, he will be travelling only to Israel.

In a balancing act though, India is likely to host Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas before Modi sets off for Israel. "Mr Modi is not visiting Palestine on this occasion. Inshallah, our President will be here this year," Palestinian ambassador to India Adnan Abu Alhaija confirmed to TOI.

The delicate reworking of ties between the two states has seen India set up a joint commission co-chaired by minister of state for external affairs M J Akbar. The cooperation is expected to lead to the setting up of a tech park in Ramallah. During Akbar's visit to Palestine last year, Tel Aviv was informed that a visit to Israel was not a necessity either.

Modi is expected to visit Israel on his way back to India from the G20 summit in Hamburg in the second week of July. The government believes a standalone visit to Israel would further underline the significance of India's special ties with the Jewish nation. This year, the two countries mark the 25th anniversary of full diplomatic relations.

Acknowledging the fact that Modi and his government have been much more open about New Delhi's engagement with Tel Aviv, Israel's ambassador to India Daniel Carmon told TOI on Thursday that "high visibility" to ties was leading to more activities between the two nations. In a departure from past policy, the NDA government has looked to bifurcate its relations with Israel and Palestine.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office

03-July, 2017 18:46 IST
PM’s upcoming visit to Israel and Germany


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will be visiting Israel on 4-6 July, 2017. Prime Minister will also be visiting Hamburg in Germany on 6-8 July, 2017 to attend 12th G-20 Summit.

In a series of Facebook posts from his account, the Prime Minister said:

“I will be visiting Israel on 4-6 July, 2017 upon invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As the first Indian Prime Minister to do so, I am greatly looking forward to this unprecedented visit that will bring our two countries and people closer. This year, India and Israel are marking 25 years of our diplomatic relations.

I will have in-depth talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu on the full spectrum of our partnership and strengthening it in diverse fields for mutual benefit. We will also have the chance to discuss major common challenges like terrorism.

I will meet President Reuven Ruvi Rivlin - who I had the pleasure of receiving in New Delhi in November last year, as well as other senior leaders.

My programme during the visit gives me an opportunity to engage with a cross-section of Israeli society. I am particularly looking forward to interacting with the large vibrant Indian diaspora in Israel that represents an enduring link between our two peoples.

On the economic side, I will join with leading Indian and Israeli CEOs and start-ups to discuss our shared priority of expanding business and investment collaboration on the ground. In addition, I hope to get insights into Israel’s accomplishments in technology and innovation through on-site visits.

During my stay, I will visit the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum to honour the memory of the victims of the holocaust that counts among the greatest tragedies in human history. Later, I will also pay my respects to the courageous Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the liberation of Haifa in 1918.

On the evening of 6 July, I will commence my visit to Hamburg for the 12th G-20 Summit hosted by Germany. Over two days on 7th and 8th July, I look forward to engaging leaders from other G-20 countries on the vital issues affecting our world today that have a bearing on economic growth, sustainable development, and peace and stability.

We will review progress on decisions since the Hangzhou Summit last year and deliberate on issues of terrorism, climate, sustainable development, growth and trade, digitalisation, health, employment, migration, women’s empowerment, and partnership with Africa. The theme chosen for this year is “Shaping an Inter-connected World”.

As in the past, I look forward to the opportunity to meet leaders on the side lines of the Summit to exchange views on bilateral matters of mutual interest.”

***

 

[Hindustani78]

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas being received by President Pranab Mukherjee and PM Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan in May 2017. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...weaken-ties/article19199312.ece?homepage=true

PM will be in Tel Aviv & Jerusalem from July 4; will not travel to Palestinian side
India’s relations with Israel should not come at the “expense of ties” with Palestine, but the Palestinian Authority (PA) understands the need for India to de-hyphenate ties with both, says Palestinian President’s diplomatic adviser Majdi ElKhaldi in an interview ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel.

“Our interest is [for Palestine] to deepen our relationship, and we hope that stronger ties with Israel will not come at the expense of this relationship. We understand that India has to manage its own balance in the region, and we would like to make [a] separation between these ties as well,” Dr. ElKhaldi told The Hindu in an interview over the telephone from Jordanian capital Amman, where he is currently.

Mr. Modi will travel to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem from July 4, and will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel.

However, unlike President Mukherjee, and three External Affairs Ministers Jaswant Singh (2000), S.M. Krishna (2012) and Sushma Swaraj (2016), Mr. Modi will not pay a visit to the Palestinian side.

Instead, the government had hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Delhi in May this year, separately signing several agreements on development assistance, and backing Palestine’s claim to a “two-state solution.”

“Our President spoke to Prime Minister Modi at length about the need to bring a resumption of Israel-Palestine dialogue and an acceptance of Palestine’s just demand for a two-state solution along the 1967-lines, with East Jerusalem as a capital,” Mr. ElKhaldi said.

Mr. ElKhaldi said that with his “vision and stature”, Mr. Modi could speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convincingly on the issue.

Significantly, he said there would have been no opportunity for Mr. Modi to have visited Palestine during his trip this week, as Mr. Abbas is travelling abroad for a week of hectic diplomacy himself.

On Monday, he is expected to address the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, and then travel to Tunisia, then France to meet President Macron, who like his predecessors is expected to play a key role in the Mideast peace process.

Asked if Mr. Modi’s visit to Israel but not to Palestine was an indicator of shifting equations with the two states, India’s Ambassador to Israel Pavan Kapoor denied it.

“We have reached that sense of political confidence in our relations with both the Israelis and the Palestinians where we feel we can work with them independent of each other, and [the PM’s visit] is a reflection of that,” Mr. Kapoor said in an interview at the embassy in Tel Aviv on Sunday. While Mr. Modi is expected to discuss the current situation in the Israel-Palestine process with Mr. Netanyahu during the visit, as well as the U.S.’s new push to forge a solution, officials say it is unlikely India would take a more mediatatory role in the conflict

Political confidence
“We have reached that sense of political confidence in our relations with both the Israelis and the Palestinians where we feel we can work with them independent of each other, and [the PM’s visit] is a reflection of that,” Mr. Kapoor said in an interview at the embassy in Tel Aviv on Sunday.

While Mr. Modi is expected to discuss the current situation in the Israel-Palestine process with Mr. Netanyahu during the visit, as well as the U.S.’s new push to forge a solution, officials say it is unlikely India would take a more mediatory role in the conflict.

En-route to a historic visit
1947: India votes against partition of Palestine

1950: India recognises Israel

1953: India permits Israel to open consulate in Mumbai

1992: India and Israel establish full diplomatic relations

2000: EAM Jaswant Singh visits Israel & Palestine

2003: Israeli PM Ariel Sharon visits India

2012: India votes in favour of granting Palestine "observer status" at the U.N.

2015: President Pranab Mukherjee visits Israel

2016: EAM Sushma Swaraj visits Israel

2017: Narendra Modi set to become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...in-tel-aviv/article19205560.ece?homepage=true

Reiterating commitment to two-state solution, PM says no shift to Jerusalem until a ‘final-status’ agreement is reached

Affirming India’s traditional support for the “two-state” solution between Israel and Palestine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will support all efforts for a resolution, including on the contentious issue of Jerusalem, which Israel has claimed in its entirety since 1967.

In the clearest position of India’s stand on the Jerusalem question, the Prime Minister said the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv will remain there at least until a “final-status” agreement between the two parties.

“We believe in a two-state solution in which both Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist peacefully,” Mr. Modi said in an interview to Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom.

“India supports all efforts to find an acceptable solution to all the pending issues, including Jerusalem. I assume the question refers to our embassy in Tel Aviv. We will take a decision on that after both sides have come to an agreement on Jerusalem,” he said.

In an interview to The Hindu on Monday, Palestine’s Presidential diplomatic adviser had repeated the demand for east Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state, suggesting the Mr. Modi should discuss the need for the resumption of the West Asian peace process with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit, including the need for a two state solution on the lines of 1967 and giving East Jerusalem to Palestine as its capital.

Responding to a question from journalists on Monday, however Israeli officials said that Israel, like India would prefer to have “political process with its neighbour” to be “bilateral”.

“I think India in particular would understand this,” said Daniel Carmon, Israel’s Ambassador to India, indicating that Israel does not welcome “third-party” interventions in the matter.

No country at present maintains an Embassy in Jerusalem as a result of the dispute, and even the Trump administration that had promised to move the US embassy there has recently put off the decision.

Narendra Modi's itinerary in Israel
Tuesday: Narendra Modi will arrive at 4 pm (local time) at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and will have dinner with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu

Wednesday: Talks with Mr. Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin before meeting members of the Indian community

Thursday: Business lunch with CEOs from both countries

He will also visit the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and pay respects to the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the liberation of Haifa in 1918

Previous bilaterals

Modi is the first Indian PM to visit Israel. In October 2015, Pranab Mukherjee became the first Indian President to visit Israel since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1992

This was followed by the visit of Israeli President Reuvin Rivlin to India in November 2016. Earlier, then Israeli President, Exer Weizman, visited India in January 1997 and this was followed by a visit by the then Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, in September 2003

 

[Hindustani78]

Prime Minister's Office
04-July, 2017 19:20 IST
PM arrives in Israel; accorded ceremonial welcome at Ben Gurion Airport


The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, arrived at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv today.

As part of an elaborate official welcome ceremony, Prime Minister of Israel Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, received Prime Minister Modi on arrival. Prime Minister Modi inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honour.

Prime Minister Netanyahu began his press statement with the Hindi words "आपका स्वागत है मेरे दोस्त." He said the Prime Minister is welcomed with open arms and even the sky is not the limit for cooperation between the two countries. He described the Prime Minister as a great leader and a "world leader."

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister began with the Hebrew greeting "Shalom le'kulam. He went on to add in Hebrew "I am delighted to be here in Israel."

He recalled, the Israeli operation at Entebbe, exactly 41 years ago on the 4th of July, when Prime Minister Netanyahu's elder brother had laid down his life, while saving many Israeli hostages.

In our path of sustained high growth, and all around development, India counts Israel among its important partners, the Prime Minister said.

Alongside building a partnership for shared economic prosperity, we are also cooperating to secure our societies against common threats such as terrorism, he added.

Expressing his keenness to meet the Indian diaspora in Israel, he said Jews of Indian origin, have enriched both our societies.

****

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi emplanes for a historic visit to Israel, the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister, from New Delhi on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi emplanes for a historic visit to Israel, the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister, from New Delhi on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi emplanes for a historic visit to Israel, the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister, from New Delhi on July 04, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi arrives at Ben Gurion Airport, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being received by the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival, at Ben Gurion Airport, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being received by the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival, at Ben Gurion Airport, in Tel Aviv , Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being received by the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival, at Ben Gurion Airport, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi being received by the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on his arrival, at Ben Gurion Airport, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, at Ben Gurion Airport, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, at Ben Gurion Airport, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, at Ben Gurion Airport, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi delivering his press statement on arrival, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017. The Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu is also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi delivering his press statement on arrival, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi delivering his press statement on arrival, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017. The Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu is also seen.

Prime Minister's Office
04-July, 2017 19:49 IST
Press Statement by Prime Minister on arrival in Tel Aviv (July 04, 2017)


Excellency Prime Minister Netanyahu

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Shalom le kulaam ani semya mayodh lehiyot po (I am delighted to be here in Israel.) It is my singular honour to be the first ever Prime Minister of India to undertake this ground breaking visit to Israel. I want to thank my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, for the invitation and for receiving me with so much warmth. My visit celebrates the strength of centuries old links between our societies. Based on these bonds our partnership has maintained a strong and sustained upswing since the establishment of full diplomatic relations 25 years ago.

Friends,

The people of Israel have built a nation on democratic principles. They have nurtured it with hard work, grit and the spirit of innovation. You have marched on regardless of adversity and converted challenges into opportunity. India applauds your achievements.

Today is July 4, exactly 41 years since Operation Entebbe. The day when your Prime Minister, and my friend, Bibi, lost his older brother Yoni, while saving the lives of so many Israeli hostages. Your heroes are an inspiration for the younger generations.


Friends,

India is a very old civilization but a young nation. 800 million people in India fall below 35 years of age. The talented and skilled youth of India are also its driving force. They propel my vision to transform India, its industry, its economy, its way of doing business, and its interface with the world.

Friends,

In our path of sustained high growth and all around development, India counts Israel among its important partners. The need to rely on science, technology, innovation, and higher technical education to overcome our developmental challenges is common to both of us. These domains also bring together the creative energy and ideas of the highly skilled youth and entrepreneurs of the two countries. Alongside building a partnership for shared economic prosperity, we are also cooperating to secure our societies against common threats such as terrorism.

A progressive partnership in all these areas would shape the scope of my conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu. I am also keen to interact with the Indian diaspora in Israel, including a large number of Jews of Indian origin, who have enriched both our societies.

Excellency and Friends,

My visit marks a path breaking journey of engagement. A journey that we are excited to undertake together for the good of our people and societies. As we march together, a strong and resilient partnership with Israel will be my intent and focus. I thank you once again for this tremendous welcome.

Thank you. Thank you very much.



****

AKT/NT

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu at the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu at the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu at the Danziger Flower Farm- a leading facility for R&D in plant varieties, in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying homage to the victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, in Jerusalem, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying homage to the victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, in Jerusalem, Israel on July 04, 2017.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paying homage to the victims of the Holocaust at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, in Jerusalem, Israel on July 04, 2017. The Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu is also seen.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi signing visitors’ book at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, in Jerusalem, Israel on July 04, 2017. The Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu is also seen.