Netanyahu to meet bizmen, film stars in Mumbai visit

Mumbai: The city is all set to welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, whose maiden visit to Mumbai will have several engagements related to business and cultural exchanges. He will also meet Bollywood celebrities, opening Israel’s doors to the Indian film industry.

When in city, Mr Netanyahu will first meet with businessmen at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. “It is expected that discussions over defence, agriculture and water management would take place between the representatives of the two countries. He would also pay homage to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks and then visit the Nariman House in Colaba to inaugrate the memorial there,” said a state government official.

During his visit, a bilingual magazine, Namaste-Shalom will be released in the presence of C. Vidyasagar Rao, the governor of Maharashtra.

Happy over the prospect of Mr Netanyahu’s visit, president of Bene Israeli Heritage Museum, Ralphy Jhirad said, “The two countries are already sharing agriculture technology. I remember, 25 years ago, the mango plant was taken from India to Israel. The Israelis experimented with the fruit and now have their own mangoes.”

Chairman and managing trustee of Sir Jacob Sassoon Charity And Allied trust, Solomon Sopher said that the visit holds significance for both the countries. “There are over 3,000 Jews associated with this city and hence strengthening ties between the two countries is significant,” he said.

The Israeli Prime Minister will board his flight home late on Thursday evening.