Narendra Modi has become the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. Upon his landing in Tel Aviv, the Prime Minister was accorded a red carpet welcome by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Prime Minister will later visit the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum to honour the memory of the victims of the holocaust that counts among the greatest tragedies in human history. He is also scheduled to later have dinner with Mr. Netanyahu.
Both the Prime Ministers made a short statement before taking off for the next programme for the day.
Following are the important quotes that the world leaders made:
Prime Minister Netanyahu's welcome statement:
- Aapka swaagat hai mere dost, we have waited for you 70 years
- I remember what you told me in our first meeting- when it comes to India & Israel relations, the sky is the limit. But now, Prime Minister, let me add- we are also cooperating in space.
- The sky isn't the limit for India Israel ties, given space cooperation. Make in India meets Make with India
- What took so long for [our ties] to blossom. It took a meeting of hearts and minds.
- It is said that in Silicon Valley in California, the two most spoken languages are Hindi and Hebrew. It is because of the great sympathy between Indians and Israelis, the Indian Jews in Israel and the remaining Indian diaspora in the country are a wonderful human bridge between our two nations.
- [Both India and Israel] have deeply held values rooted in ancient cultures.
- You are a great leader of India and a great world leader
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement:
- My visit celebrates the strength of centuries old history and today's partnership
- My honour to be the 1st ever Indian PM to undertake this ground breaking visit to Israel
- Today marks 41 years since Operation Entebbe, when PM Bibi's brother Joni lost his life saving Israeli hostages
- We have to secure our societies against the common threat of terrorism
- I am keen to interact with the Indian diaspora in Israel including a large number of Jews who have enriched both our countries
- This is an exciting journey that we will undertake together, for the good of our people and our society
