Netanyahu calls Modi ‘personal friend’, India ‘global power’ ahead of PM's visit to Israel

AHead up of undercoat government minister Narendra Modi's see to yisrael on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We are personal friends,” adding that the two sides will look to strengthen economic, diplomatic and security cooperation. PM Modi will be visiting Israel on February 25-26.In a series of posts on X, Netanyahu called PM Modi “personal friends,” and that they both speak frequently over the phone and also visit one another. Netanyahu also said that he has visited India in the past, and PM Modi has also visited Israel. “We waded together in the waters of the Mediterranean, and much water has flowed since then in the Mediterranean, the Ganges, and the Jordan,” he wrote in the post. The Israeli president said that PM Modi will arrive on Wednesday and deliver a speech at the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), “I am sure you will all be there,” he added.Also read: India to explore anti-ballistic missile defence with IsraelNetanyahu says ‘special relationship’ with PM ModiTalking about the relationship between him and PM Modi, Netanyahu wrote, “This week, expression will be given to the special relationship that has been forged over recent years between Israel and the global power that is India, and between myself and its leader, Prime Minister Modi.”The Israeli PM said that “the fabric of the relationship has grown tighter,” and with PM Modi visiting again the fabric will tighten further through a series of decisions related to strengthening cooperation.In another tweet, Netanyahu said that he spoke about the “historic” visit of PM Modi. Calling the relationship a “powerful alliance between two global leaders,” he wrote that both countries are partners in innovation, security, and a shared strategic vision. Cooperation in AI, quantum computingDuring Prime Minister Modi's visit to Israel, Netanyahu said Israel will "promote cooperation in high-tech, AI, and quantum computing.""I say AI and quantum not because they are the future, but because they are the present. We, of course, want to be among the world's leading nations in these fields, Netanyahu said.Also read: ‘Blatant violation’: Arab nations condemn US ambassador’s remarks on Israel’s right to Middle East This will be PM Modi's second visit to the country, following his 2017 visit when he became the first-ever Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel.PM Modi's scheduled Israel visit comes in the backdrop of the Board of Peace meeting on February 19. Board of Peace is an initiative originated from US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN Security Council but has since expanded beyond its original scope. Administration officials said around 35 nations had committed to join, while 60 received invitations.