India, Israel sister democracies, face common challenge: Israeli PM

Stressing on the common challenge of terrorism and calling his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to stand with him on this battle, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that India and Israel are 'sister democracies'.

Calling Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel, as "friend Narendra", Netanyahu said that Israel believed in the "partnership of intelligence".

"India and Israel are sister democracies. We are unequal in size but equal in spirits," said Netanyahu.

"We also face common challenges and first of it is to defeat the forces of terror that's on rampage through the world and threaten both our countries. We must stand together in this battle.

"We share a bond of democracy, creativity, a deep respect for the past and a boundless optimism for future and it's in this spirit my friend Narendra, I welcome you here. Welcome friend," the Israel added.

Speaking of his 'great admiration' for people of India for talent and Prime Minister Modi for yoga, Netanyahu also recalled Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.

"We have great admiration for people of India, my late uncle who was a mathematician told me many times about his admiration for great Indian mathematician Ramanujan, who was perhaps the greatest mathematician in many centuries," said Netanyahu.

"This symbolises talents of people of India," he said.

He further added, "We believe in the partnership of talent. It won't happen over night, but we both want it to happen overnight."

--IANS

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