Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Israel in July.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to visit Israel in July, India is exploring the possibility of him addressing the Indian community in the country, Economic Times reported.
There are about 45,000 Jews of Indian origin in Israel and about 30,000 Jews from India who migrated to Israel during 1950s and 1960s. About 300 members of the Indian community in Israel come under the NRI category.
If PM Modi addresses the diaspora, it will become biggest direct engagement abroad with Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), the report said.
Earlier, Modi has addressed the Indian diaspora in the US, Canada, Australia, and the UAE but very few participants were from Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).
People familiar with the matter said the plan was still in the works and will shape up ahead of the PM's visit.
Last month, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval visited Israel in March in order to lay groundwork for Modi's visit.
India formally recognised Israel on September 17, 1950, after which it established an immigration office in Mumbai.
This was later converted into a trade office and subsequently into a Consulate. Embassies were opened in 1992 when full diplomatic relations were established.
Since the upgradation of relations in 1992, defence and agriculture have been the main pillars of bilateral engagement. In recent years, ties have expanded to areas such as S&T, education and homeland security. Political ties between the two countries are friendly.
President Pranab Mukherjee visited Israel in October, 2015. Former Israel Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Ezer Weizmann visited India in 2003 and 1997 respectively.
There have been frequent ministerial level exchanges in the recent past. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Israel in November 2014, while the Israeli Agriculture and Defence Ministers visited India in January and February 2015, respectively.
(With agency inputs)
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