AMN /
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives defending Haifa in current Israel during first World War. Mr Modi visited their cemetery in Haifa and paid homage to the soldiers.
Earlier, India and Israel elevated their ties to a strategic partnership as New Delhi identified Tel Aviv as a major development and technological partner. Both nations also agreed to combat growing radicalization and terrorism and expand co-operation in cyber security.
The strong convergence emerged after Mr Modi held official discussions with his counterpart Benjamin Netynyahu. A joint statement issued after the talks in Jerusalem said the two countries also decided to set up a Technological Innovation Fund worth 40 million dollars. Mr. Modi called upon the industrialists from Israel to come and invest in the defence sector as India has opened up and has now allowed 100 per cent FDI in this sector.
Addressing the Indian community at a large gathering in Tel Aviv, the Prime Minister assured that India will remove difficulties faced by Jewish Citizens of Indian origin in Israel in getting the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. He said, the OCI card would now also be given to those people of Indian origin who served in the Israeli government’s compulsory army service.
Mr Modi will leave for Hamburg in Germany today to participate in the G-20 summit. The member nations will hold discussions on an array of issues, including terrorism, Global Growth and Trade, Partnership with Africa, Migration, Health, Women Empowerment, Sustainable Development, Climate and Energy. Mr Modi will lead the Indian delegation, which includes NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman and India’s G20 Sherpa Arvind Panagariya. High staked meetings – both bilateral and multi laterals – are expected to take place on the sidelines of the summit.