Marking a new chapter in bilateral history, PM Narendra Modi addressed Israel’s Knesset on February 25 in Jerusalem, the first Indian Prime Minister to receive this distinction on his state visit. The oration emphasized resilience, innovation, and shared values amid international flux.
Honored by Speaker Amir Ohana with a bespoke medal, Modi’s platform followed unifying remarks from Netanyahu, Lapid, and the Speaker, reflecting parliamentary consensus on elevating India-Israel relations.
Commencing with appreciation, Modi tied the honor to everlasting amity and joint governance traditions. He traced relations from antiquity to today’s robust framework in defense, R&D, and security.
Grassroots synergies in water conservation, rural economies, sustainability, and startups have added vibrancy, he noted, praising diaspora contributions to each nation’s journey.
Reaffirming anti-terror resolve, Modi conveyed condolences for October 7’s horrors, underscoring their indefensibility and India’s solidarity with peace endeavors like the UN Gaza initiative.
He advocated intensified multilateral engagement via IMEC and I2U2. Profiling India’s transformative growth, Modi sought broader collaborations in commerce, renewables, digital ecosystems, and novel tech for youthful aspirations.
Welcoming the investment accord, he urged an ambitious FTA. Modi proposed leveraging friendship groups for dialogue, aligning India’s ‘world as one family’ with Israel’s ‘repair the world’ ethos, before thanking attendees and offering Purim wishes.