Israel and India Announce the Establishment of a "Special Strategic Partnership"

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu held talks with visiting Indian Prime Minister Modi in Jerusalem on the 26th and issued a joint statement, announcing the elevation of bilateral relations to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation, and Prosperity.” During the joint media appearance with Modi, Netanyahu stated that Modi’s visit to Israel was “fruitful,” and both sides will work to hold intergovernmental meetings in India as soon as possible to turn cooperation ideas into tangible results. In the subsequent joint statement, both parties agreed to upgrade the existing strategic partnership, promote multi-level cooperation among governments, businesses, and civil society, ensure that cooperation results are implemented effectively, and continuously develop the India-Israel special strategic partnership. According to the joint statement, both sides expressed a shared stance on counter-terrorism, security, and regional issues, and will strengthen collaboration in scientific research and innovation, industrial matching, trade and investment facilitation, payment connectivity, agricultural technology promotion, and water resource management. Indian Prime Minister Modi arrived in Israel on the 25th to begin a two-day visit. (Xinhua)