18 November 2016
New Delhi

English Daily ‘The Times Of India’ reported that Israel and India has agreed to intensify counter-terror efforts to deal with “constant” security threats posed by terrorism.

Kallol Bhattacherjee reports Welcoming visiting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that both sides would work to counter terrorism, radicalism and extremism even as they agreed to work together in areas such as agriculture and water resource management.

“Our people are constantly threatened by forces of terrorism and extremism. We recognise that terrorism is a global challenge, knows no boundaries,” Modi said.

Israeli President Rivlin recollected the 26/11 attacks which claimed the lives of Israeli citizens. “We recognise that terrorism is a global challenge, knows no boundaries and has extensive links with other forms of organised crime. We stand together defending our people.”

The declarations came even as both leaders referred to the twenty-fifth anniversary of formal diplomatic ties between two countries that have turned out to be “broad-based.”

Modi also thanked Israel for supporting India in multilateral diplomacy and said: “India is also grateful to Israel for its clear support to India’s permanent candidature in a reformed UN Security Council.”

Pacts signed

Earlier, Rivlin received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and met President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari. Later, he held bilateral discussions with the Indian delegation at Hyderabad House. Both sides signed agreements to firm up cooperation on agriculture and water resource management.

Both sides agreed to take “practical and specific” measures such as cyber-security cooperation and agreed to expand defence ties. “I wish to say that, Israel is ready to make in India and make with India,” said Rivlin, highlighting possible manufacturing and production partnerships in the defence sector.

The Israeli President is accompanied by a delegation of representatives of the country’s defence sector, leading academics and technology solution providers. He is also scheduled to travel to Agra, Chandigarh, and Karnal to highlight the impact of technological solutions to improve water supply and agriculture scenario in India.