Modi-Netanyahu elevate India-Israel ties to Special Strategic Partnership; UPI, FTA, AI deals signed
Jerusalem: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday announced the elevation of bilateral relations to a "Special Strategic Partnership," marking a historic shift in ties between the two nations.
The announcement came during a joint press briefing following high-level delegation talks in Jerusalem. Modi, the first Indian premier to address the Knesset, noted that the discussions were designed to provide "a new direction and speed" to the partnership.
"Our relationship is based on a strong foundation of deep trust, shared democratic values," Modi told reporters. "Our ties have stood the test of times. Today, we have taken the historic decision to elevate our time-tested partnership to the status of a Special Strategic Partnership. This decision reflects the vision of both countries."
Technology and Trade Frontiers
The visit yielded a wide array of agreements aimed at modernising economic and technological cooperation:
- Digital Finance: An agreement was finalised to implement India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Israel.
- Economic Policy: Modi announced that both nations would soon "give final shape to a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement."
- Future Tech: A new partnership was established focusing on critical and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
- Infrastructure and Energy: The leaders committed to further collaboration in civil nuclear energy, space, and the development of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 group.
Security and Regional Cooperation
The Prime Ministers issued a firm joint stance against global militancy. "India and Israel are clear that there is no place for terrorism in the world. Terrorism cannot be accepted in any form. We will continue to fight against terrorism and its supporters," Modi said.
Netanyahu praised the "meeting of minds and hearts" and confirmed that a government-to-government (G2G) meeting would be held in India at the earliest opportunity to maintain momentum. He emphasised the potential of combining the "brilliant talent" of both populations.
Diplomatic Milestones
Modi’s two-day state visit began in Tel Aviv, where he received a standing ovation at the Knesset. During the trip, he was conferred the Speaker of the Knesset Medal, an honour he dedicated to the "140 crore Indians and to the enduring friendship between India and Israel."
Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the summit, covering geophysical exploration, fisheries, aquaculture, and the development of a national maritime heritage complex at Lothal in Gujarat. The leaders also agreed to collaborate on "villages of excellence" to implement future-ready agricultural solutions.
The visit marks Modi's second trip to Israel in a decade, following his landmark 2017 visit, and reinforces the burgeoning security and diplomatic alignment between New Delhi and Jerusalem.
With inputs from ANI