Israel President, Punjab CM discuss cooperation in water management, agriculture, internal security apparatus
JERUSALEM: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday met Israeli President Reuven Rivlin here and discussed a wide range of subjects of mutual interest, with an eye on engaging with the Jewish nation for technical collaboration and support in the key areas of water management, agriculture and homeland security technologies.
During the talks, the President shared Israel's experience on judicious management of water to transform a desert into an agricultural nation, while the chief minister spoke about the need to take urgent steps to check the depletion of water levels in Punjab through better water management and conservation, according to a press release.
The President also observed that India's water problem had also been raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Tel Aviv earlier this year.
Rivlin suggested use of desalination to make water drinkable, as was being done extensively by Israel through various innovative technologies.
Referring to Punjab's hostile neighbours, Singh also underlined the need to adopt Israeli knowledge and technologies in the area of homeland security.
The President said Israel was keen to extend to India, including Punjab, all possible support in the area of internal security, the release said.
Singh is on a five-day visit to Israel that commenced on Monday.
He is heading a high level delegation, which includes Punjab Principal Secretary Tejveer Singh and CM's Media Advisor Raveen Thukral, to the country to strengthen Punjab's cooperation with the middle east nation in the field of agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming, and waste water management, besides trying to attract investments in the state.
"Glad to have met President of Israel, @PresidentRuvi today. Discussed the continued strengthening of relations between Israel & India.
Expressed to him our great interest in Israeli water management, agriculture and cyber technologies," Singh tweeted after the meeting.
"The two leaders discussed a variety of subjects of mutual interest. The talks focused, in particular, on water management and homeland/internal security, with Punjab looking at greater cooperation with Israel on these issues," an official travelling with the chief minister said.
During his meeting with the President, Singh gifted him a set of his military history books and a wooden box from Hoshiarpur, engraved with mother of pearls.
Rivlin also presented Singh a box from Jerusalem.
Describing his first day of official engagements in Israel as "extremely productive", Singh on Monday appreciated the technological knowhow developed by the Jewish nation and expressed hope that his state could also adopt some of them to solve issues of distressed farmers and water conservation.
He met officials of Israel's Tyros International Group Ltd on Monday and discussed investment opportunities in Punjab's infrastructure sector.
He also visited facilities of NaanDan Jain Irrigation, accompanied by officials of the state, to witness latest technology deployed in precision farming and horticulture.
NaanDanJain Irrigation Ltd is the leading global producer and provider of tailor-made irrigation solutions.
"Had an extremely productive 1st day in Israel, beginning with some major investment talks, followed by field visits to NaanDanJain Irrigation farms, & Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Impressed by the Homeland Security presentation on latest technologies to prevent crime," Singh tweeted at the end of a packed day Monday.