Historic Visit of Indian Prime Minister to Israel; 70 Years After Independence of Both Countries

Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, arrived in Israel on Tuesday, July 4, for a three-day official visit. This is the first time in approximately seventy years of independence for both Israel and India that an Indian Prime Minister has visited Israel, although Reuven Rivlin, the President of Israel, had recently visited India. According to Israeli media, Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed his Indian counterpart at Ben Gurion Airport, calling India the 'largest democracy in the world,' referring to Mr. Modi as a 'close friend,' and labeling his visit as 'historic.' The Israeli Prime Minister stated that Mr. Modi's arrival demonstrates Israel's military, economic, and diplomatic capabilities. Netanyahu mentioned that he personally accompanies his Indian counterpart during many visits in Israel; a practice that has not been done for any global leader visiting Israel, indicating the importance Israel places on the visit of the Indian Prime Minister. Previously, Netanyahu had met Mr. Modi twice during United Nations General Assembly sessions. Upon disembarking from the plane, Mr. Modi greeted with the 'Namaste' symbol and expressed in Hebrew: 'Shalom; I am very happy to be here,' before heading to visit the Holocaust Museum and then the Western Wall in Jerusalem after the official welcome ceremony. The Indian Prime Minister stated that expanding human interactions and strengthening trade relations are at the top of his objectives for this visit. His trip coincides with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two countries. Narendra Modi came to Israel following a meeting with Donald Trump at the White House last week. It has been previously reported that 'cybersecurity' is one of the most important topics on the agenda for the negotiations between the Prime Ministers of Israel and India during Narendra Modi's visit. Israel and India are considered two major powers in the field of computer technologies. Strategic cooperation, including in the field of weaponry, is also on the table. Israel has been one of the largest arms suppliers to India in recent years; the reduction of India's arms purchases from Russia in recent years has brought India closer to Israel. In terms of revenue from military industries, particularly the aerospace sector, Israel has recorded at least one billion dollars annually in military equipment sales, ranging from helicopters and radar systems to drones for the Indian army. The number of Jews with Indian roots in Israel is very small, but a group of prominent Indian Jews met with Mr. Modi during the early hours of his visit. Narendra Modi will also visit the graves of Indian soldiers buried in Haifa port in northern Israel. While India has been a supporter of the Palestinians for decades and recognized Palestine in 1988, Mr. Modi will not visit the West Bank or meet with Palestinian leaders during this trip. In this regard, Indian officials explained that Mahmoud Abbas had recently discussed with Narendra Modi during an official visit to India.