Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday inaugurated a start-up hub called iCreate in Gujarat’s Bavla town .
“When I launched iCreate a few years ago, I said I want to link it with Israel,” Modi said. “My motive was that this institution and our youth benefit from Israel’s experience, and their start-up environment.”
The prime minister said he hoped that iCreate would help youngsters fulfil their dreams and implement their their innovative ideas. “We are working towards making entire system in our country innovation-friendly, so that ideas are formed from intent, innovations are formed from ideas and a new India is formed from innovations.”
Netyanahu praised Modi for doing revolutionary work, and recalled the historic links between the two countries, the Hindustan Times reported. Many Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the liberation of the Israeli city of Haifa were Gujaratis, the Israeli prime minister said.
The youth and technology of the two countries are the future, and the two are coming together and opening new ways, Netanyahu added, before concluding his speech by saying: “Jai Hind! Jai Bharat! Jai Israel!”
The prime ministers then visited the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables at Vadrad in Sabarkantha district where they spoke with farmers. “We are all aware of the strides Israel has made in agriculture, including when it comes to managing water resources and irrigation,” Modi said. “Israel shows the way on how to transform a nation with the agriculture sector at the core.”
Modi said that the government was attempting to help farmers double their incomes by 2022, and thanked Netanyahu for taking time out to talk to farmers.
Earlier in the day, the two leaders held a roadshow in Ahmedabad. Netanyahu’s wife Sara also accompanied the two. They were greeted with song and dance at the airport. The eight km-long mega roadshow began from the Ahmedabad airport and ended at Sabarmati Ashram.
The two leaders and Sara Netanyahu will return to Mumbai in the evening.
On Thursday, the Israeli prime minister will launch a magazine at the Magen David Synagogue at Byculla in South Mumbai, PTI reported. The magazine, called Namaste Shalom, will focus on the relations between the two countries and will be published every month.
Netanyahu and his wife are on a six-day trip to India. Netanyahu’s visit to Gujarat will focus on agriculture, irrigation, innovation and enterprise, the Indian Prime Minister’s Officer said on Twitter.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!