'Most popular in Israel': PM Bennett gives invitation to PM Modi to 'join his party'
The meeting is the first formal meeting between the two leaders since Bennett took office in June after his predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, was defeated.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join his party on Tuesday, claiming that he is the "most popular guy in Israel." During a bilateral encounter on the margins of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, the two leaders engaged. According to a video of Modi and Bennett's encounter, the Israeli PM said to Modi, "You are the most popular guy in Israel. Come on over to my party." PM Modi came up laughing when he heard the compliments. The meeting is the first formal meeting between the two leaders since Bennett took office in June after his predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, was defeated.
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The two leaders assessed bilateral ties during the meeting and discussed ways to deepen collaboration in high technology and innovation. The formal meeting followed their brief encounter on Monday at the climate summit. Earlier, recalling their brief conversation on Monday, Prime Minister Modi stated that the Indian people prioritised their connection with Israel. The MEA subsequently stated in a brief statement that the two presidents reviewed bilateral strategic partnerships and expressed satisfaction with the progress made in several areas.Â
Recalling that next year marks the 30th anniversary of India and Israel establishing full diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to Bennett to visit India. Bennett, Prime Minister, hailed the "deep bond" between India and Israel as one born of love rather than self-interest and invited Modi to cooperate with him to push bilateral ties to "a whole new level."
The Israeli prime leader committed to enhancing collaboration between the two nations that began under his predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, and to take it to a new level.
The Israeli prime minister also wished Modi and Indians a happy Diwali. On Monday, Prime Minister Modi met with Bennett in a pleasant brief encounter, joined by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. During their passionate talk, the two leaders were seen exchanging pleasantries in a video shared by Modi.
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During Prime Minister Modi's historic visit to Israel in July 2017, India and Israel upgraded their bilateral relations to a strategic alliance. Since then, the two nations' relationship has centred on developing knowledge-based engagement, which includes collaboration in innovation and research and bolstering the 'Make in India' effort.