Jaishankar in Israel on 5-day visit to bolster strategic ties

Jerusalem, October 17

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said he was looking forward to a “great visit” as he arrived here on a five-day official trip during which he will hold talks with the country’s top leadership to mutually prepare a roadmap for further enriching the strategic ties besides exploring new areas of bilateral collaboration.

Jaishankar began his visit by laying wreath at a cemetery for Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the region during the World War I in Talpiot, Jerusalem. About 900 Indian soldiers are interred in cemeteries across Israel in Jerusalem, Ramle and Haifa.

Jaishankar, who is on his first visit to the country as the External Affairs Minister, laid wreath at the Talpiot Cemetery.

“I am deeply honoured to pay homage to the valiant sons of India who fought with bravery and courage in this land during WWI, bringing glory to themselves, their comrades and their motherland,” Jaishankar wrote in the visitors’ book.

Describing Israel as one of India’s “most trusted and innovative partners”, Jaishankar urged Israeli business, including from the defence sector, to invest in the country and take advantage of its business-friendly policies.

Speaking at the India-Israel Business Roundtable, he said, “There is an enormous effort of change happening in India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office and people have heard bits and pieces of that change.”

The Indian Army commemorates September 23 every year as Haifa Day to pay its respects to the three brave Indian Cavalry Regiments — Mysore, Hyderabad and Jodhpur Lancers — that helped liberate Haifa following a dashing cavalry action by the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade.

During his visit, Jaishankar will call on President Isaac Herzog, PM Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid during his standalone visit. — PTI

To hold talks with US, Israel & UAE FMs

New Delhi: Heralding new alignments, Foreign Ministers of US, India, Israel and UAE will hold a virtual meeting on Monday, announced the Israeli Government. India’s addition takes place five days after Foreign Ministers of the US, UAE and Israel had held an in-person trilateral in Washington on Wednesday. TNS