Israeli envoy meets Adityanath, discusses cooperation

Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon called on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here on Tuesday and expressed his country's desire to cooperate with the state in various sectors.

Yogi Adityanath said during the meeting that the state government was interested in using Israel's expertise in development of agriculture, irrigation, horticulture, energy, science and technology, smart cities and other sectors.

The Chief Minister told the visiting envoy that owing to the depleting ground water, many regions have been declared dark zones in the state. In these areas, techniques developed by Israel could be of great help as also in the Bundelkhand region, he averred.

Adityanath also directed the Chief Secretary to constitute a joint-group to identify the ways and means by which Israel and Uttar Pradesh can cooperate in the fields of agriculture, trade, culture and other policy- related matters.

The Israeli envoy thanked the Chief Minister for extending him an invitation to visit the state and said that as a representative of the Israel government, this was his maiden visit to Uttar Pradesh.

Carmon further said that strengthening of bilateral ties with India was one of the priorities of the Israeli government and narrated the problems Israel faced during nation-building.

He added that apart from solving the problem of water shortage, special attention was accorded to food security for its citizens.

The Israeli envoy told the Chief Minister that at present, Israel was assisting India in 40 projects related to agriculture and horticulture of which 15 projects have been completed.

Two projects are also being developed in Uttar Pradesh of which one is in Basti and the other is the vegetable development centre in Kannauj district.

These projects, which would ultimately benefit 10,000-15,000 farmers, will soon be completed, he added and requested the Chief Minister to inaugurate them.

Carmon further said that his country can also extend their cooperation to the 'Namami Gange' project rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

--IANS

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