Jerusalame, Feb. 26: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Israeli President Isaac Herzog and the two leaders explored avenues to further enhance cooperation in education, start-ups, innovation, tech and connectivity. He also extended an invitation to President Herzog to visit India in the near future. Accompanied by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi visited Yad Vashem memorial and paid tributes to the victims of the Holocaust.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thanked him for standing by Israel’s side after the dastardly attack of October 7, 2023. Calling him “more than a friend”, Netanyahu said, “Prime ministers and heads of state come to the Knesset and it’s always an exciting moment for all of us. But my dear friend Narendra, I’m especially moved by your visit. You are a great friend of Israel and a great leader at the world stage….Narendra, you are more than a friend. You are a brother.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed Israeli Parliament, the Knesset on Wednesday, where he described the Gaza Peace Initiative as a path for “just and durable peace” in the entire region even as he delivered a powerful message of solidarity to Israel, asserting that “terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere”.  PM Modi was also conferred with the Speaker of the Knesset Medal’ in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening strategic relations between India and Israel. He is the first Indian to speak in Knesset.

The discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation across key sectors such as science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and the economy, along with strengthening people-to-people ties. The two leaders are also likely to deliberate on regional and global developments of shared concern. On Thursday, the Prime Minister will meet Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel.-Agencies