PM Modi Featured on Jerusalem Post Front Page Ahead of Israel Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a striking appearance on the front page of the Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, local time, as he embarked on a significant visit to Israel. The newspaper's Editor-in-Chief, Zvika Klein, shared the front page, which displayed a photograph of PM Modi waving, accompanied by feature stories focusing on his visit and the strengthening relationship between India and Israel.
Headlines and Highlights from the Edition
The edition featured headlines such as "Welcome, Modi" and "New Delhi's burgeoning partnership with Jerusalem", underscoring the importance of the trip. PM Modi has departed for Israel and is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, marking a key moment in diplomatic engagements.
In an interview published in the same edition, India's envoy to Israel, JP Singh, emphasized the historic nature of PM Modi's planned address. "One of the most important elements will be that he will be the first prime minister from India to address the Knesset," Singh stated, as quoted by The Jerusalem Post. He elaborated on the broader goals of the visit, aiming to expand bilateral ties beyond limited sectors into a more comprehensive framework that includes:
- Financial cooperation
- Trade enhancements
- Cross-border payments
- Potential future work on financial systems and money-transfer infrastructure
Background and Significance of the Visit
This visit, at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, represents PM Modi's second trip to Israel, following his landmark 2017 visit when he became the first Indian prime minister to visit the country. Reflecting on the importance of this journey, Netanyahu described it as "historic" and referred to PM Modi as a "dear friend". In a statement, Netanyahu said, "This morning, at the opening of our Cabinet meeting, I spoke about the historic visit of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to Israel this coming Wednesday."
Agenda and Expected Outcomes
During the visit, PM Modi and Netanyahu are set to review progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership. Discussions will cover a wide range of cooperation areas, including:
- Science and technology
- Innovation initiatives
- Defence and security collaborations
- Agricultural advancements
- Water management solutions
- Trade and economic partnerships
- People-to-people exchanges
Additionally, PM Modi will call on Israeli President Isaac Herzog, further cementing diplomatic ties. This visit aims to build on previous successes and explore new avenues for mutual growth and cooperation between the two nations.
