From water to space: India, Israel ink 7 agreements during PM Narendra Modi's visit
India and Israel today signed seven agreements that ranged from space to water conservation.
In a testimony to scope of wide cooperation between India and Israel, the two countries today signed seven agreements that ranged from space to water conservation. The agreements were signed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in-depth talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. On the second day of Modi' three-day visit to Israel, the first by any Indian Prime Minister, the issue of terror and "strategic threats" along with various other topics like cooperation in defence and security, water, agriculture, space and West Asia figured prominently in the talks. After the wide-ranging talks, the two sides signed seven pacts covering areas like innovation, water conservation, agriculture and space.
Here is a list of seven agreements that were signed between India and Israel after talks between Modi and Netanyahu:
1- MoU between the Department of Science & Technology, India and National Technological Innovation Authority, Israel for setting up of USD 40 million worth India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F).
2- MoU between the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation of the Republic of India and the Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources of the State of Israel on National Campaign for Water Conservation in India.
3- MoU between U.P. Jal Nigam, Government of Uttar Pradesh, of the Republic of India and the Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources of the State of Israel on State Water Utility Reform in India.
4- India-Israel Development Cooperation - Three Year Work Program in Agriculture 2018-2020.
5- Plan of Cooperation Between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Israel Space Agency (ISA) regarding cooperation in Atomic Clocks.
6- MoU between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Israel Space Agency (ISA)regarding cooperation in GEO-LEO Optical Link.
7- MoU between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Israel Space Agency (ISA) regarding cooperation in Electric Propulsion for Small Satellites.
What Modi said about agreements:
"Our goal is to build a relationship that reflects our shared priorities and draws on enduring bonds between our peoples," Modi said in a joint media appearance with Netanyahu.
Prime Minister Modi said, "we are of one view that together our scientists and researchers would develop, build and implement mutually beneficial solutions in the field".
"Our decision to establish a bilateral Technology Innovation Fund worth USD 40 million for research in industrial development will help us in achieving this goal.
"We regard thriving two-way trade and investment flows as the bedrock of a strong partnership. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I agreed on the need to do more in this direction. Businesses on both sides should take primary lead in such efforts," he said.
Modi said that Israel is among the leading nations in the field of innovation, water and agricultural technology and "these are also among my priority areas in India's development".
"We agreed that efficiency of water and resource use; water conservation and its purification; productivity increases in agriculture are key areas in deepening ourbilateral cooperation," he said.
Modi also said that during their talks he and Netanyahu agreed to to do much more together to combat terrorism to protect their strategic interests.