Netanyahu Welcomes 'Friend' Modi, Says 'Waited for Long'

Tel Aviv--Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his "path-breaking" visit to Israel on Tuesday, with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu extending an extraordinary welcome and asserting that "even sky is not the limit" in the cooperation between the two countries.

Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit the Jewish nation, was received at the Ben Gurion airport by Netanyahu who said in Hindi, "aapka swagat hai, mere dost" (welcome, my friend).

"It is truly a historic visit," said Netanyahu who broke protocol by being at the airport, an honour which previously was accorded only to the US President and the Pope.

"We love India," he said.

Hailing Modi as "a great leader of India and a great world leader", Netanyahu said, "we have been waiting for the last 70 years" for a visit by an Indian prime minister.

The two prime ministers, who hugged each other three times, described each other as "my friend" several times.

In their brief prepared speeches, they vowed to give a push to the bilateral relationship in all aspects and jointly deal with the common threats like terrorism.

Netanyahu's entire Cabinet was present at the airport to receive Modi, who was wearing a cream colour 'band gala' suit and a dark blue handkerchief in the pocket. Modi was also accorded a Guard of Honour after an Israeli military band played the national anthems of the two countries.

"I remember what you told me in our first meeting - when it comes to India and Israel relations, the sky is the limit. But now, prime minister, let me add even sky is not the limit. We are also cooperating in space," Netanyahu told Modi.

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to undertake a visit to Israel after two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992, and the fact found space in Netanyahu's welcome address. "We have waited for you for a long time, we receive you with open arms," Netanyahu said, adding, "I know that we can do even better, together."

After the Israeli Prime Minister finished speaking, PM Modi, overwhelmed by the warm welcome, took the podium, thanking Israel and Netanyahu for gestures extended to him. Modi spoke a few words in Hebrew, starting with "Shalom (hello), I am happy to be here."

Declaring is visit "groundbreaking", PM Modi said that "Israeli heroes are an inspiration to India's youth, who are talented and a driving force."

"Building a strong and resilient relationship with Israel will be my intent and focus...We have to secure our societies against the common threat of terrorism," Modi said.

He said his visit was about the strength of the two societies and their strong partnership.

"Together, we can do even more and even better (for India-Israel ties)," he added.

Noting that India is an old civilisation but a young nation, Modi said, "We have a talented and skilled youth, who are our driving force."

Describing Israel as an "important development partner", he said, "This is an exciting journey that we will undertake together, for the good of our people and our society."

Modi said his visit celebrates the strength of centuries-old links between the two societies and "based on these bonds, our partnership has maintained a strong and sustained upswing since the establishment of full relationship, diplomatic relations, 25 years ago."

"In silicon valley in California, the two most common languages are Hindi and Hebrew. Formula for success in the relationship between India and Israel is I square and T square... Indian talent and Israel's technology. This is India-Israel ties for tomorrow." ---Netanyahu

On The Agenda

Modi's trip comes weeks after India approved a defence deal with Israel worth $2bn.

The Indian prime minister has been pushing for defence cooperation with Israel, which has agreed to collaborate and support his "make in India" initiative. The trip will focus on "Expanding business and investment collaboration on the ground. In addition, I hope to get insights into Israel's accomplishments in technology and innovation through on-site visits," Modi wrote on his Facebook page.

"We already have quite a significant collaboration in defence technology and cybersecurity, but now we need to go to new areas," said Vijay Chauthaiwale, head of the ruling BJP foreign policy department.

Modi's Hindu nationalist BJP has pushed for closer ties with Israel as opposed to previous governments, which kept the relationship more discreet.

The two countries have become closer allies for various reasons over the past 25 years and have maintained high-level military cooperation.

In the past decade India has bought more than $10bn worth of arms from Israel, more than any other country.

Activists from Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) in India and pro-Palestinian voices have criticised the Modi government's open embrace of the Israeli government.

"Prime Minister Modi's visit to Israel is a dramatic signpost of how far India has shifted: from support of the Palestinian struggle against occupation, to total involvement and complicity with Brand Israel," said Githa Hariharan, convenor of BDS India.