Tel Aviv, Feb 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel has resulted in a historic shift in bilateral relations, with both countries agreeing to a Special Strategic Partnership. The visit, characterized by high-level dialogue in Tel Aviv, concluded with the signing of 17 documents aimed at deepening engagement in trade, manufacturing, and emerging technologies.
Prime Minister Modi stated that the relationship between the two ancient civilizations has stood the test of time and reflects the aspirations of both peoples. He affirmed that India and Israel remain united in their resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms. The Prime Minister declared that there is no place for such violence in the modern world and asserted that both nations would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder against its supporters.
Economic cooperation was a primary focus of the talks, with both leaders promising to expedite a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement. Prime Minister Modi noted that the bilateral investment agreement signed last year has already laid the groundwork for shared prosperity. He maintained that technology is central to this future partnership, particularly in the fields of AI and space exploration.
In the agricultural sector, the two countries set an ambitious goal to increase the number of Centres of Excellence to 100. Prime Minister Modi stated that the new “Villages of Excellence” initiative would bring Israeli agricultural technology directly to Indian farmers, significantly boosting productivity and income.
Addressing the regional security situation, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri affirmed that India backs the Gaza Peace Initiative as a promise of lasting peace. Prime Minister Modi stated that India’s thinking is clear regarding the need for dialogue over confrontation. He maintained that New Delhi is ready to offer support toward achieving a peaceful solution in West Asia, as the region’s stability is vital to India’s own security interests.
