After Xi, Abe, PM to showcase Gujarat to Bibi
The visit will have both cultural and economic components.
New Delhi: The scheduled visit of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Gujarat on January 17 will follow the high-profile visits of Chinese President Xi Jinping there in 2014 and Japanese Prime Minister Shino Abe to the state last year, both of which had evoked much interest. The Israeli PM’s visit to the state was scheduled after Prime Minister Narendra Modi was extremely keen that Mr. Netanyahu visit the state, sources said, highlighting the importance of the visit.
The visit will have both cultural and economic components. During the visit to Mumbai on January 18, Mr. Netanyahu will also participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the iconic Taj Hotel in Mumbai which was attacked during the 26/11 terror attack. Top-level visits of Indian dignitaries to Israel and vice-versa at the heads of State/Government-level have increased drastically since the Modi Government assumed office in 2014.
Apart from visiting the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat accompanied by PM Modi, the Israeli PM is also scheduled to participate in a host of economic events. There will be an interaction of “innovators and start-up” CEOs. The Israeli PM will also visit a “Centre of Excellence” (on agriculture) in Vadrad in the state and also inaugurate another in Bhuj via video-conferencing. A “power breakfast with Indian CEOs and a business seminar” are also scheduled in Mumbai.
“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. They will also visit the iCreate innovation campus and center. In Mumbai, the Prime Minister will meet with Jewish community leaders and select members of the Indian business community.