India attaches highest importance to ties with Israel: Sushma Swaraj

Asserting that India attaches the highest importance to its ties with Israel, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday said the potential of the relations between the two vibrant democracies is much more.

Expressing her delight to be in Israle, Swaraj said that she brings warms greetings and best wishes from President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India.

"I fully reciprocate the words of you, the Prime Minister, who is a strong advocate of our bilateral relations. India attaches the highest importance to the full development of wide range of ties with Israel. Our bilateral cooperation has developed well in a number of areas over the past two decades. The potential of our relations is much more," said Swaraj.

"I am looking forward to my meeting with Israeli leadership. I hope to discuss the entire spectrum of our bilateral relationship. I also hope to get an assessment of the situation in the region to explore areas where we can cooperate in addressing common challenges. You rightly said that we are two vibrant democracies," she added.

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while speaking during the joint press briefing, said both nations can do a lot more for the world by working together.

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Throwing light on the flourishing relationship between the two countries in recent years, Netanyahu welcomed the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister.

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"I take special pleasure in welcoming you here and extending regards to my good friend and colleague PM Modi. This growing relationship has been in the vigil of Indian President, the first ever. We are intensifying our cooperation in so many fields of science and technology, cyber and defence, agriculture and health everything. We want to do more," said Netanyahu.

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"We are both ancient nations, ancient civilisations, we treasure our past, we take pride in our past, but at the same time, we want to seize the future. The future belongs to those who innovate. Israel and India are the cutting edge of so many areas of innovation. And by working together, we can do a lot more for our people and for the world. We admire India, and we view India as a great friend and it is view of that friendship that I welcome you to Jerusalem," he added.