Modi first PM to visit Israel, tour from July 4

KV Prasad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 28

Excited over the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel next week, the country is pulling all stops to make the three-day sojourn a grand success marking the first-ever by an Indian head of the government since establishment of diplomatic ties.

In a departure from the past, when leaders from India made a trip to Palestine, Modi’s programme is a standalone trip to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Last month, Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas was in India. New Delhi views the shift as a policy of de-hyphenation from traditional balancing act between the two countries in West Asia.

On this unprecedented July 4-6 trip by Modi, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu decided to accord a reception it reserves only for the Pope and the US President.

On Sunday, PM Netanyahu’s Cabinet passed a resolution outlining the contours of the engagement. “Next week, the Indian PM, my friend, Narendra Modi will arrive in Israel. This is a historic visit to Israel. In the 70 years of the country’s existence, no Indian PM has ever visited and this is further expression of the state of Israel’s military, economic and diplomatic strength. This is a very significant step in strengthening ties between the two nations,” he said.

The trip will also provide both sides an opportunity to review the wide canvass of the bilateral engagement and take new strides in establishing a “strategic partnership” in water, further cooperation in agriculture, cyber-security, health, science and technology and innovation.

“We will be according our A team protocol to Modi. PM Netanyahu will be accompanying him to almost all places during the visit,” Israeli Ambassador Daniel Carmon said today. Modi’s engagement includes a call on Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, a working meeting and a dinner with Netanyahu, an outreach with people of the Indian community, and homage to Indian soldiers at the Indian Cemetery in Haifa.