-Netanyahu India Visit-
By Bisheshwar Mishra / New Delhi
The 1950s hit Hindi film song “ichak dana bichak dana” of movie “Shree 420” mesmerised the visiting Israeli delegates with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, perhaps more than anything else at a dinner last night. “When they heard this song they all stopped, turned and started singing and said they were quite familiar with this song as many had seen the film,” said Secretary External Affairs Vijay K Gokhale, here today.
In the song scene Nargis teaches the alphabet to a bunch of ragtag kids, with Raj Kapoor acting the part of comical hanger-on.
Briefing the outcome of the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Israeili PM today, Gokhale also said that Netanyahu and the delegates were also keen to visit Mumbai and see for themselves dream industry called Bollywood. He said PM Netanyaho had confided to PM Modi that he was quite moved by Modi’s gesture of naming the Teen Murti chawk as Teen Murti-Haifa Chawk in memory of famous battle of Haifa.
Photo tweeted by Raveesh Kumar MEA spokesperson
Referring to the India-Israel Joint Statement Gokhale said that it emphasises strengthening of the bilateral agreement between the two countries in the sphere of Agriculture, science and technology, defence and security. Besides these newer areas of oil and gas sector and cyber security was also discussed. India proposes to use Israel’s cutting edge of technology in the farming sector and use of big data. He said when Prime Minister Modi had visited Israel in July 2017 he had stressed that the relationship between the two countries should move beyond “G and G (government to government contact) to P and P (people to people contact) .
He said the Agriculture Minister was also present. Israel has also promised to assist technically in the sphere of use of water. Already funds to the tune $20 million US dollars have been announced by each prime minister. He said that at present India and Israel are celebrating 25 years of the formalisation of their relationship.
He said the two prime ministers share a common vision for the relationship. They believe that in the next 25 years the two countries should strive to raise bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors to a qualitatively new level in consonance with the “our Strategic Parternership.” Both sides are working together on a five year Joint Work Plan for strategic cooperation in Agriculture and Water, the joint statement asserts.
In all the two countries have exchanged nine agreements for cooperation in different areas including cyber security, oil and gas, space and science and technology, civil aviation, information and broadcasting and health.
The agreements were exchanged after delegation level talks between the two premiers held delegation level talks in New Delhi this afternoon. During the talks, both the leaders discussed host of issues including defence cooperation, trade, innovation, counter terrorism, agriculture and water harvesting.
Prime minister Narendra Modi has said discussions between him and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu were wide ranging and were marked by the desire to do more.
In his opening remarks after the delegation level talks, Mr Modi said he has invited Israeli companies in India to take advantage of liberalised FDI norms in defence sector. Stating that thriving two-way trade and investment is an integral part of vision for a strong partnership, Prime Minister said, he and Mr. Netanyahu have agreed on the need to do more in this direction.
He said they exchanged views on scaling up the Centers of Excellence that have been a main-stay of agricultural cooperation by bringing in advanced Israeli practices and technology.
He said the two nations will strengthen the existing pillars of cooperation in areas of agriculture, science and technology and security that touch the lives of our peoples.
The Prime Minister said, the two countries are venturing into less explored areas of cooperation, such as oil and gas, cyber security, films, and start-ups to diversify and broad-base engagement.
Mr Modi said, his government is cutting down bureaucratic red tape to forge ahead with speed. He said, India is working with Israel to make it easier for the people to work and visit each other’s countries, including for longer work durations.
Also, an Indian Cultural Center will soon open in Israel to bring people closer on both sides. The two leaders also decided to start an annual exchange of bilateral visits by 100 young people from science-related educational streams.
Israel Prime minister Benjanim Netanyahu hailed Prime minister Narenda Modi saying he has revolutionised the relationship between the two countries. In his opening remarks after the delegation level talks, Mr Netanyahu said India and Israel demonstrate the intrinsic value of freedom. Saying India and Israel share an ancient past, the visting prime minister said both the countries are resilient democracies.
Mr Netanyahu was given a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those present during the ceremony. Talking to reporters after the ceremony, Israel Prime Minister said, his visit to New Delhi is the dawn of a new era in friendship between India and Israel.
Mr Netanyahu said, it began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Israel that created tremendous enthusiasm. Mr Netanyahu said, it continues with his visit to India. He added that the flourishing partnership can bring prosperity, peace and progress for the people of both the countries.
It is the first visit of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to India. He yesterday arrived on a six-day visit. The visit of Mr Netanyahu is in connection with the celebration of 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Mr Modi had visited Israel in July last year. The bilateral relationship was upgraded to strategic level with special focus on agriculture and water.
Tommorrow, Mr Netanyahu will inaugurate the third edition of the annual Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. During his stay, the Israeli Prime Minister will also visit Agra, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
Story is edited by Andalib Akhter