Modi meets Netanyahu, gets West Asia briefing

In a bare-bones briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders discussed trade, agriculture and water management. Modi is said to have expressed a keen desire for Israeli assistance to improve water management techniques in India, where some 500 cities have been experiencing an acute problem.

The PM is also understood to have used the meeting to get a sense of Tel Aviv’s view on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, in which it is both an actor and a close and interested observer.

“Given that Israel is well placed in that region, so the Prime Minister requested, and was given, a briefing of their understanding of the situation,” the MEA spokesperson said.

Besides water management and urban development, both areas of Israeli expertise, greater bilateral defence and cyber security cooperation were also discussed. “He (Modi) explained that right now in the defence sector, Israeli or any foreign company can invest up to 49 per cent. “He also made a pitch for investments from everywhere, including from Israel, given the market that we have, and the ability for technologies to be absorbed in India,” the spokesperson said.

Modi has received a personal invitation from Netanyahu to visit Israel — and if he goes, Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. He visited Israel as chief minister of Gujarat, and showed great interest in Israeli agriculture and water management techniques.

Besides the bilateral meeting with Netanyahu, the PM also met a Jewish American delegation, who are powerful advocates of strong Indo-Israeli ties.