Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Israeli President Isaac Herzog during his two-day state visit to Israel, reaffirming the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations and exploring new avenues of cooperation in key sectors.
The meeting in Jerusalem focused on strengthening bilateral ties across education, start-ups, innovation, technology, agriculture, water management and connectivity. Both leaders underscored the growing global relevance of the India-Israel partnership and its potential to contribute to regional and international stability.
After the meeting, Herzog said in a post on X, “The people of Israel and India are stronger together.”
Responding to the post, PM Modi said, “Fully agree with you, President Herzog. It was a delight to meet you and discuss diverse aspects of the India-Israel friendship. There is immense scope in futuristic areas such as technology, innovation, StartUps and more. My gratitude to you for supporting the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A tree for Mother) initiative.”
Describing the relationship as one that can serve the wider world, PM Modi said India and Israel “can be a powerful force for global good.” He highlighted Israel’s expertise in areas such as water conservation and agriculture, noting that India has adopted several Israeli best practices with encouraging results.
President Herzog praised India’s rapid economic growth and expanding global influence, calling India “an essential part of a great future for the Middle East.” He added that Israel, too, could play an important role in India’s future development trajectory. Emphasising innovation-driven growth, Herzog pointed to the potential for deeper collaboration between Indian and Israeli universities, research institutions and young entrepreneurs.
“We should recognise the young Indian talent across the globe – students in colleges, universities and research centres – who are driving innovation,” Herzog said, encouraging greater academic exchanges and student mobility between the two countries.
PM Modi also planted a sapling at the Presidential residence under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, symbolising environmental responsibility and the personal warmth between the two leaders. He also invited President Herzog to visit India, expressing confidence that the Indian people would warmly welcome him.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister paid homage at Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he laid a wreath at the Hall of Remembrance and visited the Book of Names, which commemorates millions of Jewish victims. This marked PM Modi’s second visit to the memorial, the first being in 2017.
On Wednesday, the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, conferred the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal” on PM Modi in recognition of his personal leadership in strengthening India-Israel strategic relations. PM Modi also addressed a special plenary session of the Knesset – becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so – and received a standing ovation.
(With agency inputs)
