"India Stands Firmly With Israel, In This Moment And Beyond": PM Modi In Jerusalem

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the Israeli parliament Knesset delivered an extremely strong message on terror, meeting his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu -- who built his image as a custodian of Israel's national security -- on his own ground. In his address - a first by an Indian Prime Minister in the Israeli parliament and a marquee event of the visit -- PM Modi re-affirmed that India stands with Israel in its battle against terror. 

PM Modi - who reached Tel Aviv earlier today on a two-day state visit -- drew a parallel between the Hamas attack of October 2023 in which around 1,200 people were killed and the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, in which around 175 people died. "We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond," PM Modi said. 

"India's connection to this land (Israel) is also written in blood and sacrifice. During the First World War, more than 4,000 Indian soldiers laid down their lives in this region. The cavalry charge at Haifa in September 1918 remains a significant chapter in military history,' he added.
    
Alliance A Multiplier: Benjamin Netanyahu

Addressing Knesset ahead of PM Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu also delved into history to describe the deep ties and shared culture of India and Israel, drawing parallels between the ancient civilisation of the Indus Valley and the Jordan Valley. 

"The alliance between us is an enormous multiplier of our individual powers, enormous multiplier. It's a multiplier of the spirit and the multiplier of deeds and capabilities," he said. 

Recalling PM Modi's first visit to Israel in 2017, Netanyahu cited how they had walked barefoot on the shore Mediterranean sea. 

"With all deference to our Christian friends -- they said we didn't wade in the water, we walked on water. That's not true. We didn't walk on water, but we did perform miracles since then," Netanyahu said.  

"Because what we have done is - we have doubled our trade, tripled our cooperation, quadrupled our understandings in ways that I cannot begin to describe. and in some ways, probably shouldn't describe," Netanyahu added. 

Strategy To Trade And Economic Corridor: PM 

"During my visit to Israel as Prime Minister, our two countries elevated the relationship to a strategic partnership. Our engagement has expanded in scale and scope across many sectors for the last few years," PM Modi said. 

The fast pace of India's growing economy and Israel's strength in innovation and technology, he said, makes for a perfect partnership.

"This creates a natural foundation for our forward-looking partnership. We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows and promoting joint infrastructure development," PM Modi said. 

He also referred to the India-middle east-Europe economic corridor -- a project in the making that is expected to be a counter to China's Belt and Road Initiative and create fresh transit routes, energy pipelines and digital infrastructure for the member countries.

At Knesset, A Historic Address

With his address, PM Modi enters the august list of the world leaders who addressed Knesset - several US presidents including Donald Trump, late Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, and Argentine President Javier Milei.

India-Israel Partnership

During the two-day visit, PM Modi and Netanyahu are expected to review progress in strategic partnership, explore possibilities in expanding cooperation in science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management and trade and cultural ties. 

Trade between the two countries -- to the tune of S$200 million in 1992, when diplomatic relations were established between New Delhi and Tel Aviv -- has increased to US$10.77 billion in 2022-23. 

This time, the buzz is that deals to the tune of $9 billion are going to be signed between the India and Israel on defence and security.