“Aapka Swagat Hai, Mere Dost,” (Welcome, my friend) quipped the Israeli Prime Minister as he welcomed Narendra Modi on Tuesday. The first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Jewish nation, Modi reached Israel to an extraordinary welcome as he began his “path-breaking” three-day visit. Counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu broke protocol by being at the airport, an honour which has until now only been accorded to the US President and the Pope.
Both the leaders hugged three times, referring to each other as “my friend”. One of the warmest welcomes extended to the Indian leader, Netanyahu hailed Modi as a “great leader of India and a great world leader.” He said, “we have been waiting for the last 70 years” for a visit by an Indian PM. The entire Israeli Cabinet was present at the airport to receive their guest, and Modi was accorded a Guard of Honour after an Israeli military band played the national anthems of both the countries. “I remember what you told me in our first meeting- when it comes to India and Israel relations, the sky is the limit. But now, Prime Minister, let me add, even sky is not the limit. We are also cooperating in space,” Netanyahu said.
In brief speeches, both the leaders vowed to give a push to the bilateral relationship in all aspects and jointly deal with issues like terrorism. Appreciating the special welcome, Modi began his speech with a few words in Hebrew. “Shalom, I am happy to be here,” he said. “I thank my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu for receiving me. It is my honour to be the first ever Indian Prime Minister to undertake this ground-breaking visit to Israel.” He said his visit was “path-breaking”. “Building a strong and resilient relationship with Israel will be my intent and focus... We have to secure our societies against the common threat of terrorism.”
Modi said his visit celebrates the strength of centuries-old links between the two societies and “based on these bonds, our partnership has maintained a strong and sustained upswing since the establishment of full relationship, diplomatic relations, 25 years ago.”
Modi's visit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1992. India had recognised the host country in 1950, almost two years after the Jewish nation declared independence, however, it took New Delhi 67 years to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.
From the airport, both the leaders drove to Mosha Mishmar Hashiva, near Beit Dagan, and visited one of Israel's leading floriculture companies, the Danziger “Dan” flower farm. It has approximately 80,000 square meters of state-of-the-art greenhouses specialising in reproduction of plants. Given that Israel holds key interests in closer cooperation with India and its agricultural technology, the visit was one of the highlights. They were also accompanied with Israeli Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel. Modi is slated to travel to Jerusalem's King David Hotel, where he will stay for the duration, before he leaves for Yad Vashem, where he is scheduled to visit the Hall of Names, lay a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance, tour the Children's Memorial, and sign the guest book.
He will then proceed to Netanyahu's residence, where he is invited for dinner with the Prime Minister.
Indo-Israel Relations
Despite old ties, India has maintained questionable discretion regarding its ties with Israel. It is safe to say that Modi's BJP administration was the first among all previous governments to push for closer relations. Ever since the BJP came to power in 2014, Modi has met Netanyahu twice, on previous occasions, in New York and Paris. Both nations maintain high-level military cooperation. India has bought over $10 billion worth of arms from Israel, more than any other country.
Modi's Agenda
The Indian Prime Minister's trip comes a couple of weeks after India approved a defence deal with Israel worth $2 billion. Modi has been endorsing defence cooperation with Israel, and attained their approval to collaborate and support his “make in India” initiative. Head of the BJP's foreign policy department, Vijay Chauthaiwale, while speaking to a media source, said, “We already have quite a significant collaboration in defence technology and cybersecurity, but now we need to go to new areas. It may be in the areas of agriculture and water conservation, innovation and start up culture. It coincides very well with the start up action plan of Modi.”
Both the countries seemingly agree that agriculture is an excellent area for cooperation. Israel has helped set up nearly 15 centres of excellence across India, lending new technology to farmers in order to enhance crop produce.
According to Modi's Facebook page, his trip will focus on “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.” Another major highlight is Modi's address to the Indian diaspora community of over 80,000 Jews of Indian origin who reside in Israel. “I am particularly looking forward to interacting with the large, vibrant Indian diaspora in Israel that represents an enduring link between our two people,” Modi wrote on his Facebook.
Jews in India pin their expectations on Modiji
A lot rides on the trip, especially for the small Jewish community in India which looks forward to Modi's visit to Israel. They hope that the flourishing bilateral relations will result in them being granted a minority status in India. The community states that while it has never faced any form of discrimination in India because of its religion, a minority status is one of its topmost expectations.
There are over 6,000 Indian Jews in the country, spread across West Bengal, Kerala, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Ezekiel Markel, priest at Judah Hyam Synagogue in New Delhi, said, “We look forward to the PM's visit and hope that a minority status is conferred upon the community.” He said that in Maharashtra, Jews have already been recognised as a minority, and a similar step should be taken at the Central level. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, and Jains are currently notified as minority communities. He added, “For us, India is our motherland. We are Indians first and Jews second. If Israel is in our hearts, India is in our blood.”
Jonathan Soloman, chairman of the Indian Jewish Federation, in Mumbai, said Modi's trip should lead to enhanced cultural exchanges between both countries. “We feel honoured that our Prime Minister should take the trouble of visiting a small country. It speaks volumes about his intentions and of the goodwill that the two nations share.” Solomon also said that he expects New Delhi to render “all possible help” in preserving the community's link with Israel. “The next generations should know the rich history that binds Jews in Israel and India.”
