Jerusalem, February 26 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli President Isaac Herzog met on Thursday, discussing ways to further strengthen cooperation in education, startups, innovation, technology, and connectivity.
Prime Minister Modi also planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens under the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" (One Tree for Mother India) initiative and invited President Herzog to visit India in the near future.
"Warm ties and goodwill! Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog today. The Prime Minister thanked President Herzog for his steadfast support in strengthening the special India-Israel partnership. Both leaders explored avenues to further enhance cooperation in education, startups, innovation, technology, and connectivity," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on X.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative. The Prime Minister also extended an invitation to President Herzog to visit India in the near future," he added.
Earlier in the day, Herzog shared a video on X, showing preparations for Prime Minister Modi's welcome.
While posting the video on X, President Herzog wrote, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of Israel welcome you with open arms. I look forward to hosting you today in Jerusalem!"
Prior to meeting with the Israeli President, Prime Minister Modi visited the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem on Thursday, laying a wreath at the memorial in memory of the Holocaust victims.
Prime Minister Modi was accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan as he visited the Holocaust Memorial and Museum, which commemorates and documents the Holocaust.
The visit included a tour of the Book of Names – a monumental installation containing the names of 4.8 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust – and a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance. Prime Minister Modi also signed the Yad Vashem guest book.
This was Prime Minister Modi's second visit to Yad Vashem, having also visited the memorial in July 2017 during his last visit to the country.
Prime Minister Modi is currently on a two-day state visit to Israel. He was accorded a grand welcome by Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Later, he addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem – the first such address by an Indian Prime Minister at the Israeli parliament.
Prior to Prime Minister Modi's arrival in Israel on Wednesday, Herzog stated that the people of Israel are looking forward to welcoming him.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the State of Israel and the people of Israel look forward to welcoming you to Israel," he posted on X.
