New Delhi: Union Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar said on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel in July 2017 was a “goosebump moment” for him. Jaishankar was talking about the relationship between India and Israel as he called it “truly special,” news agency ANI reported. He made the remarks while addressing a gathering for the celebration of 74 years of Israel’s independence in Delhi. The event was attended by Israel's envoy to India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan Naor Gilon as well.
“When I look back at our relationship, in the last several years that I have been associated with, for me the goosebumps moment in a way was at Tel Aviv when the PM visited Israel in July 2017, first Indian PM to visit Israel. And, since then our relationship has really taken off," Jaishankar said.
He also highlighted the knowledge-based relationship between both the countries which includes cooperation and innovation and research. He said that Israel is an integral part of the 'Make in India' initiatives.
He also talked about the future prospects for both countries and said, “As I see the future of this relationship for me one of the most encouraging signs is intellectual, students in huge numbers are going from here to there, research project we are doing.”
Jaishankar’s address was followed by Israel's envoy to India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan Naor Gilon who appreciated the Indian EAM’s presence on the occasion of Israel's 74th Independence Day and on 30 years of diplomatic relations between India and Israel.
“I've to quote our Guest of Honour who during his visit to Israel last October said that relations between us didn't start 30 years ago. It's a connection between very old civilizations which is probably the basis for very healthy bilateral relations, the two modern countries are having," Gilon said in his speech.
"This occasion is particularly special for us as we're celebrating 30 years of our full diplomatic relations between India and Israel. We're also celebrating 75 years of our own independence and these significant milestones help us together to look at horizons of our expanding relationships," he added.
EAM Jaishankar also talked about the contributions of the Jewish community in India saying, “Focus is on knowledge-based relationship and Israel is an important partner in 'Make in India' relationship.”