New Delhi:
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Tuesday said he would cut short his three-day visit to India in view of the “security update” he received upon his arrival here regarding Tel Aviv’s operation against a terrorist group in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli minister, who along with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar focused on expanding bilateral ties in various key areas including trade, investment, defense and agriculture, said he would return home after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. ,
In an address at the India-Israel business forum, Mr. Cohen said he would take up the issue of a free trade agreement between the two countries with Prime Minister Modi.
“I believe it can boost our relations,” he said.
Mr Jaishankar tweeted after his conversation with Mr Cohen, “Productive and wide-ranging discussions with Israeli Foreign Minister @elicoh1 this afternoon. The core pillars of our strategic partnership – agriculture, water, defense and security – are taking our relationship forward. Agreements signed today in water and agriculture underscore the potential to do more.” He also said that apart from discussing cooperation in high tech, digital and innovation as well as connectivity, mobility tourism, finance and health, they Also noted progress in I2U2 and cooperation in multilateral fora.
Meaningful and comprehensive discussion with the External Affairs Minister @elicoh1 of Israel this afternoon.
The core pillars of our strategic partnership – agriculture, water, defense and security – are taking our relationship forward. New agreements in water and agriculture today underline … pic.twitter.com/CPAdcBuYEw
Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 9, 2023
“There was an exchange of views on our respective regions, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific.
initiated an agreement in the field of mobility,” Mr Jaishankar said.
Shortly after Mr Cohen arrived in Delhi, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said he would leave for Tel Aviv after meeting PM Modi.
“Foreign Minister Eli Cohen landed in the Indian capital New Delhi a short while ago and received a security update as soon as he landed,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
It added, “In light of the events in Israel, Foreign Minister Cohen decided to cut short his diplomatic tour of India and return to Israel following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled for today.”
According to reports from Tel Aviv, Israel has launched a major military offensive targeting some militants in the Gaza Strip.
He said at least 12 Palestinians were killed in the airstrikes, including three commanders of the Islamic Jihad terrorist group.
“A short while ago I landed in India for a very important strategic and political visit. I have been receiving constant updates from Israel on the situation and I look forward to meeting with the Indian Prime Minister today, and after that I will resume my trip. I’ll cut it short and go back.” to Israel,” Mr Cohen said.
This is the third high-level visit by senior Israeli officials in less than three months after the visit of Speaker of the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) Amir Ohana in late March-April and also the previous visit of Economy Minister Nir Barkat to India. month.
Mr. Cohen is accompanied by a business delegation.
People familiar with Mr. Cohen’s visit had earlier said that his visit is also set to prepare the ground for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to India later this year.
In January, Prime Minister Modi invited Mr. Netanyahu to visit India at the earliest.
The Prime Minister of Israel had visited India in 2018. His visit to India in 2019 was canceled due to scheduling issues. Both sides were working on a plan for his visit to India in 2021, but that could not materialize as he was ousted from power in June the same year.
After the election his Likud party formed a coalition with some other parties, after which Mr. Netanyahu returned as prime minister in December. water management.
In January, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the two leaders agreed on the potential to further strengthen bilateral strategic cooperation.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)