New Delhi, Feb 26 (NationPress) Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar expressed his views on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the Israeli Knesset on Thursday, highlighting the overwhelming excitement from both Knesset members and the audience.

In an interview with IANS, Azar remarked, “There was tremendous enthusiasm among the Knesset members and the attendees. The public was equally eager, and the event received extensive media coverage.”

“The significance of this visit is well understood. The audience was thrilled to hear PM Modi’s heartfelt message on issues that resonate deeply with both nations, particularly regarding our unyielding stance against terrorism,” he added.

He also emphasized the long-standing shared heritage of the two countries, noting, “PM Modi spoke about our common history, which spans thousands of years, and acknowledged the rich legacy of Jews in India. He articulated the progress made in our cooperation and outlined a vision for the future of our relationship, which the people are eager to see realized.”

Azar confirmed that follow-up actions are already underway. “Meetings have taken place today between President Isaac Herzog and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss various aspects of bilateral cooperation and regional issues. More discussions are planned in the upcoming weeks, including a visit from the Defence Minister to India and ongoing negotiations regarding the FTA,” he stated.

On the topic of defense collaboration, Azar noted, “We are committed to broadening our partnership into more sensitive and advanced technologies. The agreements we have in place will facilitate this expansion, and we are now set to enter the implementation phase.”

Regarding the implications of this visit for regional security in Asia and the Middle East, he said, “When both nations enhance their self-defense capabilities and develop independent solutions for defense and offense, it will bolster our security and resilience.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed PM Modi at a dinner event, donning traditional Indian attire, which added a warm and symbolic touch to the visit.

Netanyahu was seen wearing a light grey Nehru jacket as he greeted PM Modi with a smile. In a video shared on social media, PM Modi acknowledged the gesture, saying, “It's an Indian dress.”

The two leaders enjoyed a friendly interaction and posed for photos before dinner.

Netanyahu shared the moment on social media in Hindi, stating, “Before our joint dinner, I surprised my friend Prime Minister Modi by wearing traditional Indian attire.”

PM Modi and Netanyahu are scheduled to visit Yad Vashem on Thursday, followed by an expanded bilateral meeting at the King David Hotel.

The discussions are anticipated to center around a comprehensive review of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership, aiming to strengthen collaboration in defense, science and technology, trade, and cultural exchanges. Both leaders will also discuss pressing regional and global issues.

Numerous MoUs covering economic, security, and diplomatic areas are expected to be signed during the visit, aimed at further enhancing bilateral cooperation. Following the signing ceremony, PM Modi and PM Netanyahu will hold a joint press briefing to outline the outcomes of their discussions.