'Another Chance To Advance India-Israel Strategic Partnership': PM Modi Speaks With 'Good Friend' Netanyahu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu for winning a sixth straight term.

File photo of Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and PM Modi

Source : PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday had a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. During the call, Prime Minister Modi extended his congratulations to Netanyahu on his re-election as the leader of Israel for a sixth term and expressed his wishes for a successful tenure.

"Was a pleasure to speak with my good friend,  @netanyahu.  Congratulated him for his impressive election win and for becoming Prime Minister for a record sixth time.  Delighted that we will have another chance to advance the India-Israel Strategic Partnership together," PM Modi tweeted.

Both leaders discussed the recent progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and agreed on the potential for further strengthening strategic cooperation in various fields. PM Modi also extended an invitation for Netanyahu to visit India.

"The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the rapid progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership in recent years, and agreed on the potential for further strengthening strategic cooperation in a variety of areas," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office read. India-Israel have been improving over the last few years via cooperation in a host of sectors, including defence, agriculture and water. 

Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as Israel's Prime Minister for the sixth time on December 29. He was elected by a coalition of ultranationalist and religious parties, which will hold unprecedented power. The coalition plans to expand Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, give lawmakers more influence over the supreme court and make changes to religious and state issues.

The coalition includes six right-wing parties, five of which are religious conservatives, and will hold 64 out of 120 seats in the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. Political analysts have said that this is the most right-wing government in Israel's history and marks a shift to the right among the electorate over the past several decades.