Israel, India to do ‘much more together’ on counter-terror efforts

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vows to increase cooperation with Israel on a wide range of fields, notably water technology, agriculture and counter-terrorism.

Speaking after he and Netanyahu signed a series of agreements, Modi says, “We are aware of strategic threats to regional peace and stability. We have witnessed terror, so has Israel.”

“Prime Minister Netanyahu and I agreed to do much more together to protect our strategic interests and also combat growing radicalization in the region and West Asia,” he says.

In remarks, Netanyahu says that Indian leader’s visit and the bilateral agreements signed are the first step of a “historic journey.”

“You are making history. We are making history together,” he says, adding that this was a “deeply touching moment” for him.

He recalls a date he had 30 years ago in an Indian restaurant in India with his future wife Sara. “It produced two fine children,” he quips. “The food was great.”

The Israel-India relationship, too, was a “marriage made in heaven,” he goes on, “but one grounded in reality.”

— Raphael Ahren