PM Narendra Modi's Israel visit, Day 1: As it happened

PM Modi began his "path-breaking" visit to Israel on Tuesday with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu extending an extraordinary welcome.

By Manisha Singh | Last Updated: Wednesday, July 5, 2017 - 00:04
Pic courtesy: @MEAIndia

Tel Aviv: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his "path-breaking" visit to Israel on Tuesday with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu extending an extraordinary welcome and asserting that "even sky is not the limit" in the cooperation between the two countries.

PM Modi, the first Indian PM to visit the Jewish nation, was received at the Ben Gurion airport by Netanyahu who said in Hindi, "aapka swagat hai, mere dost" (welcome, my friend).

Appreciating the special welcome accorded to him, PM Modi spoke a few words in Hebrew, starting with "Shalom (hello), I am happy to be here."
 

4 July 2017, 23:37 PM

I once again thank PM Netanyahu and Mrs Netanyahu for the warm welcome, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 23:36 PM

My visit celebrate the rich tradition we share as nation, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 23:35 PM

India is a fast growing economy and we are using technology and innovation for the progress of our nation, says PM Modi. 

4 July 2017, 23:34 PM

India-Israel ties have seen rapid growth over the last several years, says PM Modi. 

4 July 2017, 23:32 PM

I visited the Yad Vashem Memorial earlier. We must resolutely oppose evils of terrorism, radicalism and violence, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 23:32 PM

I thank PM Netanyahu and his wife for opening their home to me today, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 23:30 PM

PM Modi begins his speech.

Most grateful to their warm and generous hospitality, says PM Modi to Netanyahu. 

4 July 2017, 23:30 PM

We also face common challenges, first of it is to defeat forces of terror. Need to stand and work together, says Netanyahu.

4 July 2017, 23:30 PM

We believe we can together do great things for betterment of future of our people, says Israeli PM.

4 July 2017, 23:29 PM

We are a smaller nation but we are equal in spirit, says Netanyahu.

4 July 2017, 23:28 PM

Welcome Jerusalem my friend, today you have had a look our painful past and our prosperous future, says PM Modi. 

India and Israel are two sister democracies, he adds.

Israeli PM praises PM Modi's enthusiasm for Yoga.

4 July 2017, 23:27 PM

PM Modi we are very excited to have you. We are both tireless reformers, says Netanyahu.

4 July 2017, 23:22 PM

Joint statement of PM Modi and Israeli Premier begins.

4 July 2017, 22:45 PM

4 July 2017, 22:41 PM

Follwing is the full text of PM Modi's message at Yad Vashem:

4 July 2017, 22:35 PM

At Yad Vashem, I paid tributes to the women, men and children whose sacrifices can never be forgotten, tweets PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 22:13 PM

Meanwhile, a photo of PM Modi signing visitors' book at Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem (courtesy - @PIB_India).

4 July 2017, 22:06 PM

A tweet by Israeli PM:

4 July 2017, 22:05 PM

4 July 2017, 20:50 PM

PM Modi pays homage to 6 million lives lost in the Holocaust at Yad Vashem Memorial.

4 July 2017, 20:45 PM

Crysanthumun flower will be named in honour of PM Modi. The flower will be called 'MODI'.

4 July 2017, 20:34 PM

PM Modi to visit Yad Vashem shortly, memorial to the victims of the Holocaust⁠⁠⁠.

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4 July 2017, 20:31 PM

A tweet by PM Modi upon reaching Tel Aviv.

He says, "Hello Israel. Today I begin a special and historic visit with the aim of further strengthening the relations between India and Israel."

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4 July 2017, 18:55 PM

At the Danziger Flower Farm, advanced agriculture technologies were showcased by the Israeli government.

The two leaders were briefed about the research technologies being used there for floriculture.

4 July 2017, 19:40 PM

4 July 2017, 19:40 PM

PM Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu reach the Danziger Flower Farm that houses one of Israel's leading floriculture companies and meet the employees there. 

4 July 2017, 18:55 PM

4 July 2017, 18:54 PM

PM Modi being introduced to Netanyahu's ministers.

4 July 2017, 18:53 PM

I once again thankyou for the warm welcome, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:53 PM

I am keen to interact with Indian diaspora in Israel, including large number of Jews of Indian origin, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:52 PM

PM Modi says "We have to secure our societies against the common threat of terrorism."

"A progressive partnership in all these areas would shape the scope of my conversation with my friend PM Benjamin Netanyahu, adds PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:51 PM

This is a ground-breaking visit, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:49 PM

We consider Israel an important development partner, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:49 PM

India is an old civilisation but young nation. We have a talented and skilled youth, who are our driving force, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:48 PM

I thank my friend PM Netanyahu for receiving me. My visit is about the strength of our societies and our strong partnership, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:48 PM

My honour to be the first ever Indian PM to undertake this ground braking visit to Israel, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:45 PM

Thankyou PM Netanyahu for welcoming me with such warmth, says PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:45 PM

But now, Prime Minister, let me add, we are also cooperating in space, says Netanyahu.

"Partners for peace and prosperity, partners for a better future for humanity," he adds.

4 July 2017, 18:44 PM

I remember what you told me in our first meeting, when it comes to India and Israel relations, the sky is the limit, says Netanyahu to PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:43 PM

We have been waiting for you, for a long time. We love India, says Netanyahu to PM Modi.

4 July 2017, 18:40 PM

Israeli PM Netanyahu welcome Indian premier at airport, says 'welcome PM Modi'.

He also says in Hindi, "Aapka swagat hai mere dost" (welcome my friend).

4 July 2017, 18:37 PM

Ceremonial welcome being accorded to PM Modi at airport. 

4 July 2017, 18:35 PM

Israeli national anthem played.

4 July 2017, 18:34 PM

Indian national anthem being played at airport.

4 July 2017, 18:30 PM

PM Modi steps out of his aircraft, his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu receives him.

4 July 2017, 18:27 PM

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport.

4 July 2017, 18:25 PM

4 July 2017, 18:20 PM

Israel rolls out red carpet for PM Modi.

Watch video tweeted by @IsraeliPM:

4 July 2017, 18:12 PM

PM Modi lands in Tel Aviv on a historic visit, becomes the first Indian Priemier to visit Israel.

4 July 2017, 18:11 PM

In a special gesture, PM Modi will also meet 26/11 Mumbai terror attack survivor Holtzberg Moshe, who was only two when he was saved by his Indian nanny Sandra Samuel. 

Moshe's father Rabbi Gavriel and mother Rivkah were among eight Israeli nationals killed in the 2008 terror strike.

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