Israel to roll out red-carpet for PM Modi's historic visit to Jewish nation: 10 Points

NEW DELHI: Israel is preparing for "a historic visit" by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday.

• "This is a historic first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel in 70 years," Netanyahu told his weekly cabinet meeting, reports Xinhua news agency.
• Referring to Modi as "my friend", Netanyahu said he would "accompany the Prime Minister at many events during his visit".
• In a special gesture, Netanyahu will receive Narendra Modi when he arrives at the Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday on a three-day visit to the country.
• Sources said such a special gesture has been done only for US presidents, including Donald Trump, and for the Pope.
• Modi is expected to land at the Ben Gurion Airport outside Tel Aviv on Tuesday afternoon for a three-day trip before going to Germany, where he would attend the G20 Summit in Hamburg.
• Modi's visit "attests to the fact that our relations with India have become closer in recent years", Netanyahu said, adding that he hoped the trip "will deepen cooperation in a range of areas".
• Modi's visit would focus on cooperation in the areas of security and defence, agriculture, water and energy, according to a statement released by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.
• The visit comes 25 years after the two countries established full diplomatic ties and 14 years after the late Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon arrived in New Delhi.
• The Modi visit comes at the backdrop of billion dollars weapons and security deals signed between Israel and India over the past months, according to Israeli media reports.
• In April, India signed a $1.6-billion deal with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to buy a missile defence system called MRSAM (Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile.) The system is designed to defend against all types of airborne threats and is composed of launchers, missiles, radar systems and communication and control systems. It was reportedly the largest-ever deal signed by IAI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's schedule during three day visit: In a series of Facebook posts from his account, the Prime Minister said: “I will be visiting Israel on 4-6 July, 2017 upon invitation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As the first Indian Prime Minister to do so, I am greatly looking forward to this unprecedented visit that will bring our two countries and people closer. This year, India and Israel are marking 25 years of our diplomatic relations. I will have in-depth talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu on the full spectrum of our partnership and strengthening it in diverse fields for mutual benefit. We will also have the chance to discuss major common challenges like terrorism. I will meet President Reuven Ruvi Rivlin - who I had the pleasure of receiving in New Delhi in November last year, as well as other senior leaders. My programme during the visit gives me an opportunity to engage with a cross-section of Israeli society. I am particularly looking forward to interacting with the large vibrant Indian diaspora in Israel that represents an enduring link between our two peoples. On the economic side, I will join with leading Indian and Israeli CEOs and start-ups to discuss our shared priority of expanding business and investment collaboration on the ground. In addition, I hope to get insights into Israel’s accomplishments in technology and innovation through on-site visits. During my stay, I will 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. Later, I will also pay my respects to the courageous Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the liberation of Haifa in 1918. On the evening of 6 July, I will commence my visit to Hamburg for the 12th G-20 Summit hosted by Germany. Over two days on 7th and 8th July, I look forward to engaging leaders from other G-20 countries on the vital issues affecting our world today that have a bearing on economic growth, sustainable development, and peace and stability. We will review progress on decisions since the Hangzhou Summit last year and deliberate on issues of terrorism, climate, sustainable development, growth and trade, digitalisation, health, employment, migration, women’s empowerment, and partnership with Africa. The theme chosen for this year is “Shaping an Inter-connected World”. As in the past, I look forward to the opportunity to meet leaders on the side lines of the Summit to exchange views on bilateral matters of mutual interest.”