PM Modi Talks To Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Discusses Innovation And Security Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

Modi and Netanyahu discussed innovation and defence and security cooperation, according to a tweet by a Modi.

This was the second phone call between the two leaders since Netanyahu returned to power in December last year. The phone call lasted for about 20 minutes, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO). 

The Israeli PMO said, "The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen the close and important relations between Israel and India. The two leaders expressed a mutual desire to deepen the cooperation between the countries in the fields of high-tech, economy and security."

In their statements, Modi called the India-Israel relationship "multifaceted India-Israel friendship" and Israeli PMO called it "close and important".

Earlier, Modi and Netanyahu talked on January 11 when Modi called to congratulate him for becoming the Prime Minister of Israel for the sixth time. He is already Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister. 

The India-Israel relationship has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, particularly under the Modi government. In 2017, Modi became the first Prime Minister of India to visit Israel. The ‘chemistry’ between the two leaders became the subject of intense discussion during the visit. Netanyahu accompanied Modi 'like a shadow' during the visit and extended to him the welcome reserved for the US President and the Pope. The famous picture of the two leaders at the Olga beach, standing facing each other barefoot, had the social media buzzing with talks of ‘bromance’.

During the previous phone call in January, Modi invited Netanyahu to visit India at a mutually convenient date. 

(With PTI inputs)