Benjamin Netanyahu is arriving here with a 130-member business delegation that also includes the CEO of Rafael
With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arriving here on Sunday on a six-day visit, the defence deal to supply $500 million Spike anti-tank guided missiles is back on the table. Just a week ago, India had cancelled the deal with the Israeli Rafael Advance Defence Systems Ltd, after the company refused full transfer of technology as per the provisions of the 'Make in India' initiative. Netanyahu is arriving here with a 130-member business delegation that also includes the CEO of Rafael.
The Prime Minister's visit will coincide with the conclusion of yearlong celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries
Briefing about the visit, Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon while trying to downplay India's recent vote at the United Nations General Assembly against the United States and Israel, could not hide his disappointment. He reminded that his country was among few which had cosponsored and helped Indian nominee Justice Dalveer Bhandari to get elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
India, last month, had joined 127 other countries to vote in favour of a resolution opposing the recent decision of US President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Carmon maintained that his country would have preferred a different vote, but said, "I don't think it materially changes the tremendous flowering of relations between India and Israel." He said Tel Aviv attaches a lot of importance to the votes in the UN, and that these have always been on the joint agenda between India and Israel. "Sometimes it is India that comes to Israel with a request and sometimes Israel comes to India with a request. We cannot always fulfil those requests," he said.
Besides holding official level talks in New Delhi on Monday, Israeli PM will travel to Gujarat and Mumbai. Carmon said the Spike project was an example of "Israeli engaging in Make in India" because it can be implemented through partnership between an Israeli company and Indian company. He hinted that New Delhi was reconsidering buying the missiles through government to government route.
In addition, Netanyahu will give an inaugural speech at the Raisina Dialogue and will preside the Indo-Israeli CEO forum in Delhi. In Gujarat, the two Prime Ministers will visit the Center of Excellence in Vadrad and inaugurate a Center of Excellence for date palms in Bhuj via video conference. He said both PMs have struck a personal bond as well, which was displayed during Modi's visit to Israel past year. Reciprocating gesture, Modi is hosting Netanyahu in his home state Gujarat. Both PMs are expected to lead a road show as well in Ahmadabad. Ambassador said the strong bond between the two leaders was driving the current Indo-Israeli ties. In Mumbai, Netanyahu will meet with Jewish community leaders and select members of the Indian business community.
Israeli PM will reach out to Bollywood in an exclusive "Shalom Bollywood" event. The event is significant as Israel is fighting a worldwide "cultural boycott". The government is pulling strings to ensure presence of top producers and directors of Bollywood. Last year, Israel's 26 Oscar nominees of Hollywood refused to travel to Israel . Sources said Netanyahu will appeal to Bollywood to come and shoot films in Israel, and offer tax breaks and facilitation.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}