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We view India as a huge friend, Israeli PM Naftali Bennett tells Jaishankar

We view India as a huge friend, Israeli PM Naftali Bennett tells Jaishankar

Jerusalem/New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday, said “We love India…, there’s a sort of consensus in Israel, we view India as a huge friend”.
In their bilateral meeting which took place in the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Bennett, after sharing a warm handshake with EAM Jaishankar, said: “I can speak on behalf of Israelis, we love India.”
“There’s a sort of consensus in Israel, we view India as a huge friend and the Indian people, and we’re looking forward to expanding the relationship in all fields, in all dimensions, and look forward to a very productive meeting.”
Jaishankar, in his remarks, conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he had the honour of accompanying PM Modi during his historic visit to Israel in 2017.
“We are today, I think, at a very important stage of our relationship because things have gone very well for us, it has opened up a whole lot of possibilities. So I think the challenge is how to work to take our relationship to the next highest level,” Jaishankar said.
He said the “sentiment and the interest in India in our ties with Israel is very, very strong”.
“I don’t think any of my visits have been followed with as much attention back home as the one to Israel,” he added.
In a readout of the meeting, the Prime Minister's Media Adviser, said the two sides “discussed strengthening the strategic alliance, expanding bilateral ties and deepening the warm friendship between Israel and India”.
Prime Minister Bennett thanked the External Affairs Minister and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their personal commitment to the partnership between Israel and India.
On behalf of Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar invited Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to make his first official visit to India, the statement said.
Later, in tweets, Jaishankar said during his talks with PM Bennett the two sides held warm and rich discussions on realizing the full potential of the strategic partnership.
“Thank Prime Minister @naftalibennett for receiving me today. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi “A warm and rich discussion on realizing the full potential of our strategic partnership. PM Bennett’s purposeful and focused approach to it was deeply encouraging."His sharing of his strategic perspectives was also very valuable."India and Israel will work even more closely to realize their partnership’s vision for the next 30 years," he posted.The meeting is the first high-level contact between the two sides since Prime Minister Bennett took office in June
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also called on Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Jaishankar said his conversation with President Herzog covered changes in the geopolitical landscape. President Herzog in his comments praised the flourishing Israel-India relationship and stressed on promoting and strengthening the ties.
“Delighted to call on President @Isaac_Herzog. Our conversation covered changes in the geopolitical landscape.
“Deeply appreciate his visible commitment to taking our bilateral ties to the next level,” Jaishankar tweeted.President Herzog tweeted on the talks: “Two ancient nations, two proud democracies. Energizing discussion today with @DrSJaishankar, FM of our close friend and partner India. Great promise for Israeli-Indian collaboration on tech, trade, energy and more. There is so much we can do with our combined creativity.”The Israeli Embassy in India in a tweet said: “President Herzog praised the flourishing Israel-India relationship and emphasized on promoting and strengthening the ties. They also discussed Israeli-Indian collaboration in various fields.”Jaishankar held talks with his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid on Monday during which the two sides agreed to resume negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement from next month and also agreed in principle on mutual recognition of their Covid vaccination certification.
Israel also joined the International Solar Alliance on Monday, with Israeli Energy Minister Karine Elharrar signing the agreement.
On Monday, the EAM along with Yair Lapid participated in a video conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed. The four top diplomats agreed to establish a forum for economic cooperation and to meet in person at the Dubai Expo 2020 in the coming months.
UNI/RN

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