In the first meeting between Indian and Israeli Prime Ministers in more than a decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Benjamin Netanyahu to explain Israel’s perspective on the Islamic State.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin, the two leaders discussed the situation in West Asia. “Given that Israel is well placed in that region, the Prime Minister requested and was given a briefing of their understanding of the situation.”
The conversation assumes significance as it came before Mr. Modi’s dinner meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington, and the Prime Minister’s address to the Council for Foreign Relations to outline his government’s foreign policy objectives. Mr. Modi and Mr. Netanyahu also discussed ways of increasing bilateral ties in several areas.