Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla receives Parliamentary delegation from Israel, talks about common strategy against terrorism

Speaker of the Israeli Parliament Ohana says he chose India for his first official visit as he wanted to see ‘the impressive development of this superpower in every aspect’

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla with Speaker of Knesset (Parliament of Israel) Amir Ohana during a meeting in New Delhi, on March 31, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI

Stating that terrorism is a threat to both India and Israel, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday urged for a common strategy and deeper cooperation between the two countries to combat the menace of terrorism.

Mr. Birla made these remarks while welcoming an Israeli parliamentary delegation to India led by Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset (Parliament) of Israel.

The delegation is in India at the joint invitation of Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar and the Lok Sabha Speaker. The visit which began on Friday will continue till April 4. The delegation also called on President Droupadi Murmu besides Mr. Dhankhar and Mr. Birla.

The Lok Sabha Speaker said that in the changing global dynamics, relations between India and Israel have become very important.

“Terrorism is an area of common concern... Democratic countries like India and Israel should deepen cooperation in the fight against terrorism,” a statement from the Lok Sabha Secretariat quoted Mr. Birla as saying and added, “The common strategy of India and Israel will give a new direction to the world in the fight against terrorism.”

Mr. Birla said that the two countries have traditionally enjoyed friendly relations and share a robust democratic heritage that have many similarities, including respecting diverse cultures and following democratic values.

In a separate statement issued by the Embassy of Israel, Mr. Ohana explained why he chose India for his official visit after assuming the Speaker’s office.

“I chose India as the destination for my first official visit as Speaker of the Knesset because I see the impressive development of this superpower in every aspect, and also because no sitting Knesset Speaker has ever visited India. This is an important milestone in the diplomatic relations between Israel and India, which were established some 31 years ago,” Mr. Ohana was quoted as saying.

“There is no better opportunity than this to tighten and strengthen the collaborations between the countries in general, and between their Parliaments in particular, for the benefit of the citizens of both nations,” he added.