Modi, Israeli PM lay wreaths at Haifa Indian Cemetery

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday laid floral wreaths at the Haifa Indian Cemetery that contains the graves of 49 Commonwealth servicemen killed in World War I.

Haifa was captured by the Mysore and Jodhpur Lancers from Turkish and German forces on September 23, 1918.

In a highly sombre atmosphere, Modi and Netanyahu also jointly unveiled a plaque commemorating Major Dalpat Singh, who led the Jodhpur Lancers.

"Hailing the hero of Haifa. The leaders unveil plaque commemorating Major Dalpat Singh whose bravery in this battle is folklore," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

Blue Berets, as the UN peacekeeping forces are better known, from India were present on the occasion. The two leaders also wrote on the visitors' book at the cemetery.

On the third and last day of his visit to Israel, Modi, accompanied by Netanyahu, arrived here by helicopter.

Later, on their way to Tel Aviv, they will stop at a beach where Modi will be given a demonstration of a mobile water filtration plant.

The two leaders will also address a CEOs' round table in Tel Aviv after which Modi will interact with Indian students in Israel.

On Wednesday, India and Israel upgraded their relationship to that of a strategic partnership and signed seven agreements, including on space cooperation, water management and agriculture.

--IANS

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