Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv on Tuesday on a three-day visit to Israel. Describing his visit to Israel as a “groundbreaking” one, PM Modi said that it was his “singular honour to be the first ever Prime Minister of India” to visit the country.
PM Modi was given a red carpet welcome by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival after which both leaders made short statements before leaving the airport to take part in the official engagements and programmes for the day.
“Welcome to Israel…Aapka Swagat Hai Mere Dost. We have been waiting for you for 70 years. We love India, admire your culture, history, democracy and commitment to progress. I remember what you told me in our first meeting – when it comes to India and Israel relations, the sky is the limit… What took so long for [our ties] to blossom? It took a meeting of hearts and minds,” Netanyahu said in his short statement upon Modi’s arrival.
He added: “I am confident of the real mathematics of life, of the success of our partnership for many reasons; the talent of our people… You are a great leader of India and a great world leader… Together, we can do even better. Welcome to Israel my friend PM Modi.”
