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- PM Modi Israel Visit Live: Netanyahu sees off PM Modi as he departs Israel
PM Modi Israel Visit Live: Netanyahu sees off PM Modi as he departs Israel
Economic engagement, innovation, trade, and investment will also be high on the agenda, building on the bilateral investment agreement and ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Modi will participate in an innovation-focused event in Jerusalem and a joint visit to Yad Vashem.
Regional developments in Gaza and broader West Asia are likely to be discussed, along with Netanyahu’s vision of a “hexagon” of alliances connecting India, Arab nations, African countries, and Mediterranean states. Modi’s visit is expected to strengthen parliamentary, diplomatic, and people-to-people ties, set new goals for the strategic partnership, and advance a shared vision for innovation, prosperity, and regional stability.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday repeated his 'PM is compromised jab' over the India-US trade deal.
The remarks came a day after the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha challenged the Prime Minister to cancel the deal with US, claiming it's against the interests of Indians, while reinvoking his "surrender" accusations.
"Narendra “Surrender” Modi, it’s been over 24 hours since I challenged you to scrap the US Trade Deal – and you’ve once again slunk off to Israel in silence," said Rahul in a post on X.
Further refering to India-US trade deal, he added, "You’ve already danced and sung in Israel once at Epstein’s behest – so this time, on whose orders will you return having struck a deal against the country’s interests?"
Read full story herePrime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tel Aviv on Wednesday to a warm welcome, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu receiving him at the airport.
The warmth of ties was evident as the two leaders hugged each other.
A small yet striking detail drew attention as the leaders interacted with each other. PM Netanyahu pointed to the matching colour of the pocket square of Prime Minister Modi and the outfit of Sara Netanyahu. "That's saffron," PM Modi said with a smile.
PM Modi was seen wearing a traditional Indian attire consisting of a cream-coloured kurta with white churidar. He layered a neatly tailored grey, patterned half-jacket along with the saffron pocket square.
Sara Netanyahu chose a saffron pantsuit.
During their interaction with PM Modi, speaking about India, Sara Netanyahu said, "wonderful country." PM Netanyahu joined in and said, "He (PM Modi) is a wonderful leader." (ANI)
Chairman of Congress' Media and Publicity Department, Pawan Khera, on Wednesday raised questions over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits just as the PM landed in Israel for a two-day visit to strengthen the bilateral ties.
Hitting back at Piyush Goyal's "Rahul Gandhi is compromised" remarks, Khera asked the BJP to answer the questions raised on the current government rather than raising doubts on the previous administrations.
Speaking to ANI, Pawan Khera said, "Is Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister? At whose behest does the Prime Minister go abroad? Under whose pressure did he agree to the trade deal? Who is in the government? If people were upset with us, that is between them (public) and us. Now, you should be answering the questions after being in power for 12 years. What is your connection to Epstein? Why are you scared?"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be arriving in Israel shortly on a two-day visit to the country and the Indian diaspora is excited to welcome him.
A girl named Soniya shared her excitement with ANI, saying, "I will be performing Tiruwadra, Kerala's traditional dance form, in front of PM Modi. I have been preparing for two weeks and I am very excited."
Another woman named Shilpa, who has been in Israel for one and a half years, said that she feels blessed to be there. Speaking with ANI, she said, "I have also practiced for two and a half weeks. Hope his visit proves to be fruitful for all."
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday hoped Prime Minister Narendra Modi would mention the "genocide in Gaza" while addressing the Israeli Parliament and demand justice for them.
The Congress MP from Wayanad said India must continue to show the light of truth, peace and justice to the world.
Her remarks came ahead of Modi's departure for Israel on a two-day visit, during which he is set to hold talks with the top leadership there and address the Knesset (Israeli parliament).
In a post on X, Gandhi said, "I hope that the Hon Prime Minister @narendramodi ji mentions the genocide of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza while addressing the Knesset on his upcoming trip to Israel and demands justice for them."
She asserted, "India has stood for what is right throughout our history as an independent nation, we must continue to show the light of truth, peace and justice to the world." (PTI)
Communist Party of India MP P Sandosh Kumar on Wednesday said that Israel is like a "second Gujarat" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while alleging that the Middle East country is acting against humanity's interests, is targeting Gaza, and killing innocent people.
Speaking to ANI, Kumar said visiting Israel has become a hobby for PM Modi.
"It is like Gujarat; Israel is a second Gujarat for him. Israel is a country that acts against all genuine interests of humankind, targeting Gaza, killing innocent people. So, it is the Prime Minister's hobby, you know, it is like visiting Gujarat," said Sandosh Kumar.
In a post on X, Herzog shared PM Modi's departure statement and extended a warm message, highlighting the strong ties between the two nations.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the State of Israel and the people of Israel look forward to welcoming you to Israel," Herzog wrote.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi departed from the national capital to undertake the visit from February 25 to 26 at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The agenda includes delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on defence and security cooperation, technology and innovation, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties. Discussions are expected on India’s indigenous “Sudarshan Chakra” air defence project and potential collaboration with Israel’s Iron Dome system, alongside reviews of ongoing military partnerships.
Economic and technological cooperation will feature prominently, with Free Trade Agreement negotiations, bilateral investment agreements, and collaboration in agriculture, water management, and startups on the table. Modi will also meet President Isaac Herzog to discuss parliamentary, diplomatic, and regional issues, including tensions in Gaza and broader West Asia.
A historic highlight of the visit will be Modi’s address to the Knesset, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to speak in Israel’s parliament. Other planned activities include an innovation-focused event in Jerusalem and a joint visit with Netanyahu to Yad Vashem
This proposed framework aims to bring together India, Arab nations, African countries, and Mediterranean states to strengthen coordination among like-minded countries, enhance regional stability, and counter radical influences.
While still a vision, the discussions may touch upon opportunities for India-Israel collaboration within this concept, particularly in areas like security, trade, technology, and innovation. Modi’s visit provides a platform to exchange perspectives on Netanyahu’s initiative and its potential implications for West Asia and global diplomacy.
Key areas of discussion are expected to include defence and security cooperation, technology and innovation, agriculture, water management, trade, and investment. The leaders will also exchange views on regional and global developments, including tensions in Gaza and broader West Asia. Israel’s PM has described the visit as “historic,” highlighting the shared vision for stronger ties.
Economic collaboration is also expected to feature prominently, with Free Trade Agreement negotiations and a recently concluded bilateral investment agreement providing a foundation. Modi’s visit is anticipated to set new strategic goals, strengthen people-to-people connections, and advance the enduring partnership between the two countries.
