Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold delegation-level talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. The talks will cover several areas of interest including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties. During the talks, agreements are expected to be exchanged.

On the second day of his two day visit today Prime Minister Modi visited Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Yesterday, in a historic first, Prime Minister Modi addressed the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. In his address, he asserted that terrorism anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere and underlined India’s strong resolve to combat the menace. His speech was applauded several times by Israeli lawmakers. Mr Modi also highlighted India’s rapid economic growth, saying the country is on track to become one of the world’s top three economies.

Prime Minister Modi has been conferred with the ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’, the highest honour of the Israeli Parliament, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening strategic ties between the two countries. He is the first foreign leader to receive the award. Earlier, the Prime Minister held a tete-a-tete with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. The two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed expanding cooperation in water management, agriculture, technology and other key sectors. In the final leg of his visit today, the Prime Minister will interact with members of the Indian-origin Jewish community before departing for India later in the day.