(VIDEOS & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, on Sunday, 27 Teves, landed in Delhi where they were surprised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who came to welcome them in person. A Minister of State for External Affairs was originally scheduled to welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “I very much appreciate the gesture.”

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara on motzei Shabboas departed on an official visit to India. The visit marks 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and takes place approximately six months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to Israel.

Moshe Holtzberg, 12, who lost his parents in the 26 November 2008 terrorist attack on the Chabad House in Mumbai, accompanied Prime Minister Netanyahu as promised during their meeting with Indian Prime Minister Modi in Israel last July.

Also joining Prime Minister Netanyahu is the largest business delegation that has ever accompanied a Prime Minister of Israel on an official visit. This will be in order to enhance and strengthen economic ties and also create joint business opportunities between Israeli and Indian businesspeople.

PM will meet with senior Indian businesspeople and hold additional economic events during which he will meet – along with Indian Prime Minister Modi – with a forum of managing directors of the two countries’ largest companies. The two prime ministers will also attend the 2018 Raisina Dialogue.

PM Netanyahu will meet with Jewish community leaders and senior Bollywood figures. He will visit Gandhi’s tomb in Delhi and attend ceremonies in Mumbai in memory of the victims of the 2008 attacks on the Taj Palace Hotel and the Chabad House.

Bilateral agreements will be signed in energy, cyber and aviation. The leaders will also discuss a detailed working plan for the next five years, pursuant to the government’s decision, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, to strengthen bilateral ties.

List of agreements to be signed:

Energy agreement in the fields of natural gas and oil – The sides will strengthen cooperation in exploration, production and research and development. They will advance academic ties between universities and institutions and will work together on natural gas and oil start-ups.

Cinema coproduction agreement – Strengthened ties between the two countries’ film industries by granting joint government support funds for Israeli-Indian productions.

Aviation agreement – Amendment regarding the cost of flights and strengthening bilateral cooperation in developing air links pursuant to the 1994 agreement. The emphasis will be on adjusting prices as well as safety and security arrangements.

Cyber agreement – Strengthening and expanding cyber cooperation. Development of training and proficiency programs, technological and industrial cooperation in cyber security, promoting conferences and meetings between the two countries academics and industrialists.

Mutual investment agreement – Declaration of intent on advancing direct investment between the two countries.

Welcome to India, my friend PM @netanyahu! Your visit to India is historic and special. It will further cement the close friendship between our nations. @IsraeliPM #ShalomNamaste pic.twitter.com/sidgMmA1fu

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2018

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)