Glasgow: The first formal meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett took place on Tuesday. During this, a light moment came between the two leaders when Bennett told PM Modi that he is quite popular in Israel and that he should join his party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on the sidelines of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. During this, the two leaders reviewed the bilateral relations between the two countries and exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in the fields of modern technology and innovation. Prime Minister Modi and Bennett had their first formal meeting after brief talks on Monday during the climate summit.
According to a video shared on social media, Bennett told Prime Minister Modi, ‘You are the most popular person in Israel.’ In response, PM Modi said, ‘Thank you, thank you.’ Bennett then gave his Yamina to PM Modi. asked to join the party. The two leaders shook hands with a smile and during this Bennett said, ‘Come and join my party.’
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi recalled his meeting with Bennett and said that the people of India attach great importance to friendship with Israel. The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted, ‘Further strengthening the friendship with Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Naftali Bennett had a fruitful meeting in Glasgow. The two leaders discussed strengthening various measures of cooperation for the benefit of our citizens.
This meeting between PM Modi and Bennett was done by External Affairs Minister S. During Jaishankar’s visit to Israel last month, Modi invited the Prime Minister of Israel to visit India. According to Israeli media reports, Bennett, who became prime minister in June this year, is likely to visit India next year.
Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Israel in July 2017 elevated the bilateral ties between India and Israel to a strategic partnership. Since then, relations between the two countries have focused on expanding knowledge-based partnerships, including collaboration in innovation and research, including promoting the ‘Make in India’ initiative.