After 70 years, Indian PM visits Israel & all set to come back with bag full of achievements

"Now, a Delhi-Mumbai-Tel Aviv air service will be initiated. And so I invite youths of Israel to visit India," PM Modi announces. Image: Narendra Modi (L), Benjamin Netanyahu (R)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to conclude his three-day visit to Israel on Thursday. Modi left for Israel on a three-day visit on Tuesday to commemorate 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. When the visit is of such importance, it becomes necessary to see the benefits from it or the important issues both countries discussed. Apart from flower (Crysanthumun) being named after the name of Modi and PM giving relics from Kerala as gifts, there are also many more other important things both countries talked about. Image courtesy: @MEAIndia/Twitter (Image: ABP Live) To start with, Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. They underlined the need for the establishment of a just and durable peace in the region that has been broken by years of conflict. "We also discussed the situation in West Asia and wider region. It is India's hope that peace, dialogue and restraint will prevail," Modi said after holding wide-ranging talks with his Israeli counterpart on the second day of his visit, reported news agency PTI.

Always a delight to meet my friend, @IsraeliPM @netanyahu! #IndiaIsraelFriendship pic.twitter.com/qYpdhmrmsy

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 5, 2017

Both countries live in complex geographies and were aware of strategic threats to regional peace and stability, Modi said. Addressing the Indian diaspora, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced People of Indian origin in Israel will get the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards even if they have undergone the compulsory army service in Israel. Direct flights would be launched between Delhi, Mumbai and Tel Aviv to encourage people-to-people contact. "Now, a Delhi-Mumbai-Tel Aviv air service will be initiated. And so I invite youths of Israel to visit India," PM Modi announced.

Some pictures from the memorable community programme in Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/iF2qUa7yVV — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 5, 2017

Both countries elevated their ties to the "strategic partnership" level and vowed to do "much more together" to combat growing radicalisation and terrorism. India and Israel pitched for "strong measures" against those financing and providing sanctuaries to terror groups. The two sides signed seven pacts covering areas like innovation, water conservation, agriculture and space. Goal of both countries was to build a relationship that reflects shared priorities and draws on enduring bonds between people, said Modi. India and Israel also committed to cooperate for the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International terrorism (CCIT). New Delhi and Jerusalem also agreed to set up a USD 40 million fund which will be used for industrial Research and Development, and innovation fund. Both countries will contribute USD 20 million each. No Indian PM visited Israel for 70 years, and now when an Indian PM visited, it appears, he has many achievements to cheer for.