ties with friendshipAhmedabad, Jan 17 (PTI) Prime Ministers Narendra Modi andBenjamin Netanyahu flew kites, led a roadshow and spokeeffusively about their friendship during a day-long visit toGujarat in a public show of top-level backing for the fastgrowing ties between India and Israel.
Netanyahu said his country seeks to cooperate with India"in every field" and praised Modi for "revolutionising" hiscountry. In turn, the Indian leader said he waited for "myfriend" to visit India so they could together inaugurate anentrepreneur incubation centre for start-ups.
The bonding between the two leaders —notwithstandingIndia voting in favor of a UN General Assembly resolutionrejecting the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital ofIsrael — was on full display at the very start of Netanyahu'svisit to Modi's home state.
Modi received Netanyahu, who was accompanied by his wifeSara, at the airport with a bearhug, and then the three setoff on an 8-km roadshow to the 'Sabarmati Ashram', the abodeof Mahatma Gandhi for many years.
The road to Sabarmati Ashram was lined with people onboth sides, with some carrying Indian and Israeli flags, asfolk artists from several states sang and danced on stageserected at vantage points.
However, unlike last year's roadshow that Modi held withhis Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe where they travelled in anopen jeep, clicking pictures and waving at cheering crowds,today's event was a heavily guarded affair, with the leadersseated in SUVs, apparently due to security reasons.
Once at the Ashram, the prime minister was in the role ofa guide, showing the visiting couple around the place wherethey tried their hands Gandhi's spinning wheel, wearinggarlands of handspun cotton yarn. The wheel had becomeemblematic of Gandhi's non-violent resistance to the colonialrule and underpinned his vision of self-reliance.
Later, the two leaders addressed young entrepreneurs atDeo Dholera after after dedicating International Centre forEntrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate), a public-privatepartnership (PPP) venture set up to nurture entrepreneurs byproviding them funds, space, mentors and other facilities.
"Prime Minister Modi is changing India, by the forcein vision of his leadership. He is revolutionising India. Heis catapulting it into the future, and as one of the world'sgreat powers. And he is doing it through the power ofinnovation," Netanyahu said.
"I want young Israelis to come to India, not just withthe backpack, but with a laptop. This is essentially aboundless potential and that's why I have come here, toencourage young innovators from our two countries to worktogether," he said, adding Israel seeks cooperation with Indiain every field.
Friendship was the constant theme as the two leadersacknowledged the immense potential for further cementing thebonds between the two nations.
"I thank Modi for his vision and for his friendship,and for recognising the immense potential of our partnership"the Israeli leader said.
Underscoring the vast scope of pertnership between thetwo countries, Netanyahu said he wanted cooperation in areasas diverse as water conservation and agriculture tocyberspace, and life sciences.
"Today, I have a simple message. I want young Indiansto know that Israel wants to form partnership with you intechnology, in water, in agriculture, in cyber, in drones, inhealth, in life sciences, in every field. We are yourpartner," he said.
Modi voiced happiness over the inauguration of iCreate inthe presence of Netanyahu.
"When I went to Israel last year, I made up my mindthat this foundation should have stronger relations withIsrael. Since then, I was waiting for my friend BenjaminNetanyahu to come to India. He is here and now we areinaugurating this foundation," Modi said.
The work for setting up 'iCreate' was launched in 2011 byModi when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.
"We are working towards making entire system in ourcountry innovation-friendly. Curiousity produces intent, whosepower leads to innovation that will make new India," he added.
Innovation, he said, plays a major role in bringingtogether the people of India and Israel.
"People of Israel have proved that it is not the size andshape of a country but the determination of its citizens whichtakes it ahead," he said.
Impressed by some of the innovations put on display atiCreate, Netanyahu said, "The world knows about iPods, theyknow about iPads, but there is one more 'i' the the worldneeds to know about - iCreate."As cordiality punctuated the engagement of the twoleaders, the entire house burst into guffaw when Netanyaucalled both himself and Modi young.
"As you all know, I am sure you have noticed, PrimeMinister Modi and I are both very young and very optimistic.
We are young in our thinking and we are optimistic about thefuture," he said, as Modi was seen breaking into a heartylaugh.
The Israeli leader wrapped up his speech with chant of'Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, Jai Israel' (victory be to India andIsrael).
Netanyahu also gifted a Gal-Mobile water desalination andpurification jeep to Modi that the latter dedicated to peopleof Suigam village in Banaskantha district.
The two also visited the Centre of Excellence forVegetables at Vadrad village of Sabarkantha district set up in2015 with Israeli collaboration. PTI PJT KA PD NP GK VT SK VJSK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.