PM Modi embarks on his two-nation tour to Israel and Germany

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 July 2017 embarked on a two-nation tour to Israel and Germany. On the first leg of his visit, Modi will go to Israel on three-day tour where he will hold talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on all matters of mutual interest.

Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to ever visit the country.

In a Facebook message, Modi said, both leaders will also discuss major common challenges like terrorism. Modi said, as the first Indian Prime Minister to visit that country, he will engage with a cross section of Israeli society.

The Prime Minister said he is looking forward to interacting with the large vibrant Indian diaspora in Israel that represents an enduring link between the two countries. Modi will also call on President Reuven Rivlin.

Indian Ambassador to Israel Pavan Kapoor said Modi's visit will strengthen the relations between the two countries.
Kapoor said the discussions between the two Prime Ministers will focus on agriculture, water management, defence, science, technology and space. Agreements on cybersecurity, science and technology and space are expected to be signed during the visit.

The Prime Minister, in Israel, will also attend a CEO forum in which CEOs of companies from both the nations will participate to discuss their shared priority of expanding the bilateral trade and investment.

The Prime Minister will also visit the Indian cemetery in Haifa where he will pay homage to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the First World War. This year both the countries is commemorating 25 years of diplomatic relations.

In the second and final leg of his tour, Modi will commence his visit to Hamburg, Germany on 6 July 2017 evening to attend the 12th G-20 Summit.

In the Facebook post he said, over two days on 7 and 8 July, he is looking forward to engaging leaders from other G-20 countries on the vital issues affecting our world today that have a bearing on economic growth, sustainable development, and peace and stability.

The historic visit to Israel is a milestone in Indo-Israel relationship which has stood the test of the time. In the words of India’s Ambassador to Israel, Prime Minister Modi’s current visit marks the formal coming out of the relationship between the two countries.

MoUs and agreements in the field of water conservation, agriculture, science and technology are expected to be signed during the visit. The two leaders are also likely to discuss security cooperation and counter-terrorism.

In his second leg of the journey, Modi will participate in the G 20 summit at Hamburg in Germany starting on 7th of this month. The G 20 group representing the world’s 20 most powerful nations will discuss issues like free trade, Climate change, sustainable development and migration which will shape the world significantly in coming times.

Asserting that both India and Israel suffer from the evil forces of terrorism, the Jewish nation has said it completely supports New Delhi in its fight against terror emanating from Pakistan and within the country.

The Deputy Director General of Israel's foreign ministry, Mark Sofer told reporters in Jerusalem that Israel has never hidden the fact that it supports India hook, line and sinker on the subject of terrorism. Condemning terrorism in all forms, the Israeli official said outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hamas were no different from each other and added that both India and Israel have the right to defend themselves.

Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Eli Cohen said that Israel looks to boost exports to India. Israel is eying the strong middle-class base in India to boost its exports, capitaliSing on the momentum generated by the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid pending Free-trade area, FTA, talks.