In a big fillip to an already robust bilateral relations, Narendra Modi is scheduled to land in Israel on 4 July on a three-day visit, the first by an Indian prime minister to the Jewish state.
Upon his arrival on 4 July, the Prime Minister is likely to meet his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu the same day in the evening. Modi's visit is aimed at commemorating 25 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Israel's Ambassador to India, Daniel Carmon, confirmed Modi’s impending tour on Twitter.
In Tel Aviv, Modi is expected to address the Indian community the following day. The Indian community has launched a website in preparation of his visit. About 80,000 Indian Jews belonging to four different communities – Bene Israel, Cochinis, Baghdadis and Bnei Menashe – live in Israel.
The “Close Chemistry” Between Modi and Netanyahu
The Indian Jewish community in Israel still maintain some of the cultural practices from India. Modi's ascendance to power in New Delhi generated a lot of euphoria in Israel as he was popular here for maintaining close ties with Tel Aviv during his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat. He had also visited Israel in October 2006.
One of the things that have been particularly discussed widely in the Israeli media is the “close chemistry” between Modi and Netanyahu. This is what the Israeli Prime Minister tweeted last week.
The two leaders have already met twice on foreign soil on the sidelines of UN related events and are said to be constantly in touch with each other over the phone.
“I am happy that often we can talk easily on telephone, we can discuss everything. It has very rarely happened. In your case it has happened,” Modi told Netanyahu during their meeting on the sidelines of Paris Climate summit in November 2015. The Israeli premier had then promptly responded saying, “in your case too”.
(With PTI inputs)
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