Special relationship forged over the years&#8217; &#8211; Netanyahu says his &#8216;personal friend&#8217; Modi will address Kne

Special relationship forged over the years’ – Netanyahu says his ‘personal friend’ Modi will address Knesset during state visit in Jerusalem

Article by Viory

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday, confirmed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to speak in Knesset as he arrives with state visit on Wednesday.

“The special relationship that has been forged over the past few years between Israel and the global power India, and between me and the one who heads it – Prime Minister Modi, was expressed. We are personal friends, we speak frequently on the phone, we visit each other,” Netanyahu said.

The Israeli leader also shared vision to create ‘hexagon of alliances around or within the Middle East’ with India, Arab countries, Africa, Mediterranean region and Asia cooperating.

“The intention here is to create an axis of countries that see the reality and the challenges and the goals with one eye against the radical axes. Both the radical Shiite axis that we have prepared is very strong, and also against the emerging axis – the radical Sunni axis. These countries all share a different perception, and the cooperation between us can bear very great fruits and also of course ensure our strength and future,” he explained.

Netanyahu had previously confirmed Modi’s visit during his address to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations earlier last week.

This will mark Modi’s second visit to Israel, following his historic July 2017 trip – the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister to the country.

Article by Viory