Israel President arrives, to meet PM Modi today

Rivlin with minister Harsh Vardhan. Prem Nath Pandey

Israel President Reuven Rivlin arrived Monday for the first high-level visit from Israel after the Narendra Modi government came to power. The visit comes close on the heels of India holding the first joint commission meeting with Palestine last week.

Rivlin will meet PM Modi Tuesday. Cooperation on security, agriculture and water resources is expected to figure in their talks. He will join President Pranab Mukherjee in opening an agro-tech event in Chandigarh. He will also pay respects at the sites of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Six Jews were killed at Chabad house during the attacks. He will also meet Indian officials and leaders of the Jewish community.

“I am departing now on an important visit to India, an important ally and close friend of Israel, a state with whom we have much in common,” Rivlin said before leaving for Mumbai.

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In an interview to PTI, Rivlin acknowledged differences with India on Palestine issue but spoke warmly about growing ties.

Pledging support in fighting against terror, he said Israel was proud to “stand with India  in its defence of the values of democracy”.