Modi in Israel first day highlights: Modi, Netanyahu vow to defeat forces of terror

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an official welcoming ceremony upon his arrival Israel at Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, Israel July 4, 2017. (Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Israel on Tuesday and was received by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior ministers at Ben Gurion Airport. This is the first ever visit by an Indian PM to Israel. Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, Israel on Monday backed India on the issue of terror threat it faces from Pakistan. “Israel supports India on terrorism emanating out of Pakistan, hook, line and sinker. But we are not asking for a quid pro quo… the horrors coming from Pakistan…the Lashkar-e-Toiba, the rogue operations from Pakistan. We say that India has the right to defend itself, just like Israel has the right to defend itself. I don’t see a difference between LeT and Hamas. A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist,” Mark Sofer, deputy director general in charge of the Asia and Pacific division said on Monday.

PM Narendra Modi in Israel LIVE updates:

11.36 pm: PM Modi said: “We want to put in place a robust security partnership to respond to shared threats to our peace,stability and prosperity. We want to frame our relationship that transforms the landscape of our economic engagement.”

11.33 pm: “We are proud of Jewish sons and daughters of India like Lt General JFR Jacob, Vice Admiral Benjamin Samson, master architect Joshua Benjamin and film actors Nadira, Sulochana and Pramila whose diverse contributions have greatly enriched the fabric of Indian society,” PM Modi said.

11.30 pm: “Most grateful to their warm and generous hospitality. We must resolutely oppose evils of terrorism, radicalism and violence,”says PM Modi. He also spoke on Indian Jews. “The link between our people goes back to thousands of years when the first Jews landed on India’s southwestern coastline.”

11.27 pm: Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu make joint media statement. “We believe we can together do great things for betterment of future of our people. We also face common challenges, first of it is to defeat forces of terror. Need to stand and work together,” Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said during press statement.

10.00 pm: PM Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu made an unscheduled stop at Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem to pay respect to the modern zionism founder.

Unscheduled stop at Mt. Herzl in Jerusalem, where #India‘s PM @narendramodi paid respect to the founder of modern zionism, Theodor Herzl. pic.twitter.com/F5T5vX14CD

— Israel Foreign Min. (@IsraelMFA) July 4, 2017

9.55 pm: Netanyahu greets PM Modi.

This is the first time an Indian prime minister is visiting Israel. We receive you with open arms, @narendramodi. We love India! 🇮🇳🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/H9HZSDZO9w

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) July 4, 2017

9.15 pm: PM Modi pays homage to the victims of the holocaust in his visit at the Yad Vashem Memorial in Israel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute, lays wreath at Yad Vashem, memorial to victims of the Holocaust, in Israel⁠⁠⁠⁠. #ModiInIsrael pic.twitter.com/WKxkxpi5dg

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 4, 2017

8.50 pm: Modi will visit the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum shortly to honour the memory of the victims of the holocaust that counts among the greatest tragedies in human history.

PM Modi to visit Yad Vashem shortly, memorial to the victims of the Holocaust⁠⁠⁠ #ModiInIsrael. pic.twitter.com/kTAjNuRnJO

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 4, 2017

8.35 pm: PM Modi gets a flower named after him !

New fast-growing Israeli Crysanthumun flower named in honor of PM @narendramodi and will be called “MODI”. Indeed, a #GrowingPartnership! pic.twitter.com/xj00nW2yUk

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) July 4, 2017

8.14 pm: India and Israel are marking 25 years of their diplomatic relationship.

An exciting day for Israel-#India relations. A friendship with deep roots reaching new heights. pic.twitter.com/CUGGkEMVPW

— Israel Foreign Min. (@IsraelMFA) July 4, 2017

7.50 pm: Modi visits Danziger flower farm.

At 7.30pm Agriculture is 1of the most important component of India-Israel’s #GrowingPartnership #ModiInIsrael visits Danziger flower farm pic.twitter.com/flJoyBV1sU

— Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) July 4, 2017

7.25 pm: Modi will visit Danziger Flower Farm that houses one of Israel’s leading floriculture companies shortly, reports ANI.

7.00 pm: We have to secure our societies against the common threat of terrorism: PM Modi

6.59 pm: In his introductory remarks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India consider Israel as an important development partner.

6.58 pm: India is an old civilisation but young nation. We have a talented and skilled youth, who are our driving force: PM Modi

6.57 pm: I thank my friend Netanyahu for receiving me. My visit is about the strength of our societies and our strong partnership: PM Modi

6.56 pm: PM Modi said he was honoured to be the first ever Indian PM to undertake the ground breaking visit to Israel.

6.55 pm: Together, we can do even more and even better (for India-Israel ties): Netanyahu to PM Modi.

6.54 pm: You are a great leader of India and a great world leader: Netanyahu tells PM Modi

6.51 pm: I remember what you told me in our first meeting- when it comes to India & Israel relations, the sky is the limit: Netanyahu to PM Modi

6.50 pm: Welcome to Israel…Aapka Swagat Hai Mere Dost. We have been waiting for you, for a long time. We love India: Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

6.43 pm: Pictures of Israeli PM welcoming Modi at Ben Gurion airport.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu receives PM Modi at Ben Gurion Airport #ModiInIsrael pic.twitter.com/FgFm5RWPES

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 4, 2017

6.38 pm: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu receives Narendra Modi, the first Indian PM to visit the Jewish nation.

6.30 pm: PM Modi to be received by his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Prime Minister has landed in Israel. @IsraeliPM @netanyahu will receive PM @narendramodi marking the start of a special visit.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 4, 2017

6.15 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has landed at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport and is set to get a red carpet welcome from the Israeli delegates.

6.00 pm: Israeli delegates are all set to welcome Narendra Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Jewish nation.

Live: The red carpet, the band, the press &the vip stand are ready 2welcome PM @narendramodi in Israel#ModiInIsrael pic.twitter.com/frPdbuPszG

— Froim Ditza (@Froim) July 4, 2017

5.40 pm: Here are the main highlights from the joint Op-ed written by Modi and Netanyahu in the Times of India editorial.

* India and Israel are walking hand in hand into the future as partners. India is a growing economic powerhouse with a large market and talent pool. Israel is a world leader in high technology and innovation.

*From start-ups to space, communications to cybernetics, Israel’s technological capabilities are merging with India’s.

* Israel’s extreme water crisis in the past place it in a unique position to understand India’s quest for efficient water solutions.

* We both recognise the threat terrorism poses to our countries and to global peace and stability.

* This week’s historic visit, as we celebrate 25 years of full diplomatic relations between India and Israel, reflects not just the close cooperation of our governments, but also the great sympathy and affinity between our peoples.

* The Jews of Indian origin in Israel are proud of their heritage and have left an indelible imprint on both societies.

4.25 pm: An interesting roadway sign !

The arrival of PM #ModiInIsrael reflected even on road signs on the way from #Jerusalem to the airport :) pic.twitter.com/T6zXA0Jsce

— Froim Ditza (@Froim) July 4, 2017

4.15 pm: Here are some fun facts in the growing relationship between India and Israel.

Israel’s connection to #India & its ppl goes far beyond politics & economy and has a varied,profound impact on our society.🇮🇱🇮🇳#ModiInIsrael pic.twitter.com/64zcpP6AIn

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) July 4, 2017

2:15 pm: Very important relationship which I believe India needs to sustain, while at same time making sure it’s not at the expense of our traditional loyalty and ties with Palestinians and Palestinian cause. Shows our relationship has reached a level of maturity which makes it possible for us to contemplate 1st ever PM visit: Shashi Tharoor

1:00 pm: Good development and unfortunate we have not always acted in national interest because of certain political correctness: Jay Panda to ANI on PM Modi’s Israel visit

10:15 am: PM Modi leaves for Israel for his visit. He will be visiting Germany for 12th edition of G20 summit after his Israel visit.

PM Modi leaves for Israel. ANI photo

10:00 am: On his visit to Israel, PM Modi will pay homage to Indian soldiers who died during the liberation of Haifa in 1918. He will visit the Haifa Indian Cemetery. Here is the history and significance of the place. Click here

9:30 am: PM Modi will stay at the historic King David hotel in Jerusalem during his visit. He is also scheduled to meet 10-year-old Holtzberg Moshe who was saved during 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. His parents were killed in the attacks. Click here to read more

9:00 am: Ahead of his visit, PM Narendra Modi on Monday said, “India believes in a two-state solution in which both Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist peacefully.” Click here to read more

8:30 am: Terrorism is always on our table because both countries are facing terrorism as a major threat, as a new battleground, says Israel ambassador to India: ANI

7:50 am: Israel on Monday backed India on the issue of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. On Tuesday, PM is expected to visit a farm and holocaust museum. Click here to read more

7:30 am: PM Narendra Modi is expected to hold talks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. The Israeli PM is also expected to host a dinner for PM Modi at his official residence tonight.

7:00 am: PM Modi will depart for Israel his official visit from July 4 to 6, the first by any Indian prime minister in the history.