Prime Minister Narendra Modi has returned home after a historic three-day visit to Israel. The first Indian Prime Minister to visit the region, his 72-hour visit included meeting with the host nation's political leadership, addressing the Indian diaspora and signing of a series of agreements on technology, water, and agriculture. Breaking a long withstanding protocol maintained by all the previous governments of India, Modi dared to take the path less trodden- acknowledging relations with the Jewish nation of Israel.
$40 million joint innovation initiative fund
Both the countries established a $40 million joint innovation initiative fund to increase economic cooperation and boost research and development. The both nations in question will allocate $4 million per year over a five-year period for the fund's activities, as announced by Israel's Ministry of Economy. It will be jointly run by the Israel Innovation Authority and the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology.
India and Israel sign seven agreements
Modi and counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu signed seven different agreements in key sectors like space, agriculture and water conservation, after holding in-depth talks. Addressing the press after the meeting, Modi said, “We are of one view that together with our scientists and researchers would develop, build and implement mutually beneficial solutions in the field. Our decision to establish a bilateral Technology Innovation Fund worth $40 million for research in industrial development will help us in achieving this goal.”
Modi also added, “We regard thriving two-way trade and investment flows as the bedrock of a strong partnership. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I agreed on the need to do more in this direction. Businesses on both sides should take primary lead in such efforts.” Two agreements were signed in the water sector, to increase cooperation on water conservation and state water utility reform in India. “We agreed that efficiency of water and resource use; water conservation and its purification; productivity increases in agriculture are key areas in deepening our bilateral cooperation,” Modi said.
A three-year work programme in agriculture from 2018 to 2020, the India-Israel Development Cooperation was agreed upon the farming sector. Separate MoUs were also signed on cooperation in GEO-LEO optical link and cooperation in Electric Propulsion for small satellites.
Modi called upon Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who welcomed him with a hug, breaking protocol. He also met Moshe Holtzberg, son of young Jewish parents Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, both who were killed during the attack on the Chabad House in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Modi addresses Indian Diaspora
Addressing over 5,000 Israelies of Indian-origin, at a convention centre in Tel Aviv, Modi promised a new Delhi-Mumbai-Tel Aviv Air India flight connecting both the countries. In his speech, Modi recalled Jewish Indians who had served in India, and hundreds of Indians who worked to “make the desert bloom” in Israel. The event began with national anthems of the countries being sung by Israeli singer of Indian origin, Liora Itzhak. Her parents had moved to Israel from Gujarati in the early 1970s.
Most of Modi's audience comprised of Indian Israelis, Bene Israelis, Cochini Jews, and Manipuri B'nai Manache Jews. He announced OCI card for those Indian origin persons who have done compulsory military service in Israel. Modi said he has eased the rules for applying for Overseas Citizens of India cards for people of Indian origin in Israel. “Let me tell you, if the Indian Jewish community does not get OCI cards, then the goal of the OCI card will fail. That is why I am telling everyone here again and again, come, visit India,” the Indian PM said.
“Indian Jews have contributed to the agricultural progress here [Israel]. When the first prime minister of Israel saw the dream of making a desert green, our Indian brothers and sisters toiled day and night to realise the vision of 'may the desert bloom'. Besides agriculture, people of Indian origin have left their mark in the healthcare sector.”
Modi also met with three Israeli recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Awards. He met with distinguished agriculturalist Eliyahu Bezalel, from Kochi, Sheikh Ansari, and revered cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr Lael Anson Best.
