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This story is from January 13, 2018

Benjamin Netanyahu set to visit India, PM Modi to host dinner for the Israeli PM

PM Modi will break protocol, to receive Netanyahu at airport
File photo
Key Highlights
  • PM Modi will receive Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, at the airport on Sunday afternoon.
  • The first stop for PM Modi and Netanyahu will be at the Teen Murti monument where the two leaders will lay a wreath at the monument.
  • On Tuesday, Netanyahu and his wife will fly to Agra for a visit to the Taj Mahal.

NEW DELHI: Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit will involve a series of events that will showcase the growing friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Israeli prime minister.
PM Modi will break protocol to receive Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, at the airport on Sunday afternoon, beginning a prime ministerial visit from Israel 15 years since Ariel Sharon came here in 2003. Netanyahu not only received Modi at the airport in July, PM Modi was accorded the kind of welcome by every religious sect that is reserved for popes and US presidents, officials had said then.

The first stop for PM Modi and Netanyahu will be at the Teen Murti monument where the two leaders will lay a wreath at the monument, commemorating the role of three Indian regiments who fought at the battle of Haifa over a century ago, and today, is an occasion to celebrate the closeness between the two countries. It will be formally renamed the Teen Murti Haifa Chowk and Teen Murti Marg will be known as Teen Murti Haifa Marg.
The three bronze statues positioned in a column at the roundabout represent the Hyderabad, Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers who were part of the 15 Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade. On 23rd September 1918, during the last months of the Sinai and Palestine campaign of the First World War, the brigade successfully captured the city of Haifa from a joint force of Ottomans, Germany and the Austro-Hungarian empire. The capture of Haifa and Acre cleared a route for the Allies to supplies to the city through the sea, though 44 Indian soldiers died in the assault. Till date, the 61 Cavalry celebrates 23rd September as its Raising Day or “Haifa Day.”
During PM Modi's visit to Israel in July, the prime minister had laid wreaths at the Indian war cemetery in Haifa and unveiled a plaque commemorating the memory of Major Dalpat Singh, who led the successful cavalry charge at the battle. "I am deeply honoured to stand here today to salute the valiant soldiers, who laid down their lives for the liberation of Haifa during the first World War," Modi had written in the visitors' book.
Netanyahu’s first official meeting will be with external affairs minister
Sushma Swaraj. PM Modi will host Netanyahu for dinner on Sunday night. During his three day visit in Israel, Indian delicacies were specially cooked for PM Modi by an Israeli chef of Indian origin, a personal favourite of Netanyahu’s.
After the ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt, Netanyahu will hold restricted discussions with the prime minister (which includes only key officials on either side) which will subsequently lead to a full delegation-level meeting and an official lunch. This will be followed by business summits and a call-on with President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The agreements and MoUs, sources said, will reflect a “people connect” emphasised by Israel ambassador Daniel Carmon, covering agriculture, innovation, water management etc. The strategic and defence components have been a strong part of India-Israel relations for some time. After some embarrassing confusion by the defence ministry cancelling a Spike missile contract with Rafael Industries of Israel, sources here said the deal was back on track as a government-to-government contract, in the manner of the Rafale deal.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu and his wife will fly to Agra for a visit to the Taj Mahal. In the evening, he will deliver the keynote address at the Raisina Dialogue. In an unusual gesture, PM Modi will accompany him to Raisina but won’t speak at the government’s flagship think-tank event, leaving centre stage to Netanyahu.
Netanyahu has already sent over the Gal-Mobile , an integrated water purification vehicle, designed to produce high-quality drinking water, particularly for use during natural disasters. This buggy is already stationed in a village in Gujarat — sources said, India wants to make more of these as a joint effort.
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