Media Eye News Bureau: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded his visit to India as “historic” and said that this is a dawn of new era in the friendship between the two countries.
Netanyahu was welcomed with a grand ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan ahead of his formal talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“It began with PM Modi’s historic visit to Israel that created tremendous enthusiasm, it continues with my visit here which I must say is deeply moving for me, my wife and the people of Israel. Heralds a flourishing partnership to bring prosperity, peace and progress for our people,” Netanyahu said.
Earlier, yesterday, Modi broke all protocols and went to the airport to receive his Israeli counterpart where it was a courtesy act by him as he was received by Netanyahu in the same way during his Israel visit and called Modi “my dear friend”.
Netanyahu’s visit is the first by any Israeli PM since his predecessor Ariel Sharon visited the country in 2003, during A B Vajpayee’s tenure.
Netanyahu arrived here along with his wife Sara and also with a 130-member delegation from various sectors, including cyber, agriculture and defence.
On the day of his arrival, both the PMs headed to Teen Murti square to attend a ceremony to mark its formal renaming as Teen Murti Haifa Chowk to commemorate the sacrifices of Indian soldiers who as part of the British army liberate the city of Haifa in 1918 defeating the Turks.
Netanyahu will also make a visit to Agra, Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat and he will be accompanied by Indian PM during most part of the visit.
