Diplomacy

India at G20: Modi to focus on terrorism, free trade & climate change

- by Manish Chand

HAMBURG: Amid India’s aggravating relations with China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in the northern German port city of Hamburg for the G20 summit of the world’s major and emerging economies which. The summit will focus on forging a unified global response to a host of global crises, including the proliferation of trans-national terror networks, climate change and sustainable development.
At the G20 summit, Mr Modi is expected to highlight India’s concerns about trans-national terrorism and diminishing commitment to the Paris Accord, which suffered a major blow after the abrupt withdrawal of the US from the pact. On the issue of climate change, Mr Modi, who had a successful meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington House only a couple of weeks ago, is expected to fully support the G2 agenda, under the German presidency, focus on climate change and sustainable development.
India sees a convergence with major focus areas of the agenda of the 12th G20 summit, being held in Hamburg on July7-8, which include, besides terrorism and climate change, issues relating to free and open trade amid the rising wall of protectionism, migration, black money and global stability.

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India-Israel connect: Modi mesmerises Indian Jews in Tel Aviv

- by India Writes Network

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on Wednesday addressed the Indian Community in Israel, at a function in Tel Aviv.
He began by noting that this was the first time that an Indian Prime Minister had come to Israel, and it had taken a long period of 70 years after independence.
He thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the warm welcome and respect accorded to him throughout his visit.
He said that though diplomatic relations between the two countries are only 25 years old, yet ties between India and Israel go back several centuries. He said that he has been told that in the 13th century, the Indian Sufi Saint Baba Farid had come to Jerusalem, and meditated in a cave.
The Prime Minister described the relationship between India and Israel as one of traditions, culture, trust and friendship. He noted the similarity in festivals between India and Israel. In this context, he mentioned Holi and Purim; and Diwali and Hanukkah.

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‘Marriage made in heaven’: India-Israel ties turn strategic

- by Manish Chand

“A marriage made in heaven, which is now being implemented on earth,” this is how Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu evocatively described India-Israel relations as the two countries elevated their relations to the level of strategic partnership and signed seven pacts in key areas, including agriculture, space and development cooperation.
The personal chemistry and camaraderie between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli host were all too visible and genuine as they rhapsodised about each other’s country, shared values and a kindred vision for a radiant future of India-Israel relations. The two leaders spoke with a sense of mission, which may have something to do with the ancient but modern city of Jerusalem, with Mr Netanyahu declaring in the tone of a prophet: It’s a partnership to seek the good and to achieve the good…This is a good day.”
It was clearly not just inspired rhetoric as the outcomes that emanated from over two hours of talks between the two leaders and their delegations were pragmatic and action-oriented, which would have transformative impact on the lives and fortunes of people in the two countries.
If Indian talent and Israeli technology are married and fused, along with fostering of deep civilizational and people-to-people bonding, this “marriage made in heaven” could bear new flowers and fruits in days to come, imparting more content and depth to the newly-forged strategic partnership.

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India & Israel: Hand-in-Hand into the future

- by India Writes Network

A historic visit to Israel commences today. It will be the first ever of an Indian Prime Minister to Israel. The two of us have met before but this is the first time we do so on Israeli soil.

The natural partnership between India and Israel, formally elevated 25 years ago to full diplomatic relations, has grown stronger from year to year. The deep connection between our peoples reflects our many similarities in spirit, if not in size. Ours are two modern, vibrant democracies that draw on our rich historical traditions while striving to seize the promise of the future for our peoples.
Both our nations are complex. Like yogic asanas grounding down and pulling up at the same time, they face many challenges. By working together we can overcome some of the challenges.

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Modi-Netanyahu bonhomie: “Not even sky is the limit for India-Israel ties

- by India Writes Network

It was a veritable feast of camaraderie, heart-felt compliments, hugs and handshakes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and India’s Prime Minister showered eulogies on each other and the blossoming India-Israel relations.

Mr Modi touched down at Ben-Gurion airport to begin a historic visit to Israel that promises to put India-Israel relations on a higher plane than ever. Hugging the Indian leader, a beaming Netanyahu, alluding to what Mr Modi told him in his first meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA in September 2014, raised the bar, saying not even the sky is the limit for India-Israel relations. In a unique gesture, the Israeli leader was present, along with his senior ministers, to welcome Mr Modi, the first-ever visit by an Indian prime minister to Israel.

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Jerusalem-Delhi Bonding: Israel embraces the Modi Moment

- by Manish Chand

JERUSLAEM/TEL AVIV: In a transformational moment for India-Israel relations, Jerusalem has launched an all-out charm-offensive to roll out the red carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the first-Indian leader to visit the Jewish nation.
In resonant gestures that will underscore the unique and special character of the expanding India-Israel relations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not only personally receive the Indian leader at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, but will also accompany him to nearly all the events and functions connected to the prime ministerial visit.
Israel’s pivot towards India
In political and strategic circles in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, one can listen in positive vibes and buzz about PM Modi’s visit to Israel, which is hailed here as historic and transformative, indicating a “pivot towards India.” “We are very excited to welcome PM Modi. He is a good friend of Israel and the Jewish people,” said Mark Sofer, deputy director general of the Asia and Pacific division of the foreign ministry and a former ambassador to India
There will be concrete deliverables and substantive outcomes after talks between PM Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on July 5. Many key agreements in areas of agriculture, defence and space are expected to be signed, said informed sources.
Out of closet: De-hypenating Ties
But what will mark out Mr Modi’s visit is the formal end of ambiguity and ambivalence about India-Israel relations, which had been deliberately kept discreet due to New Delhi’s apprehensions about offending and alienating the Arab world. Read more…

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Trump-Modi dinner: What’s cooking, what’s on menu?

- by Manish Chand

It promises to be a gourmet meal as the leaders of the world’s oldest and largest democracies have their first full-spectrum meeting and dinner in Washington DC on June 26. The buzz and hype surrounding India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fifth visit to the US is relatively subdued – the carnival-like festive atmosphere and feverish energy that marked his first visit to the US, with his rock-star like show at Madison Square Garden, in September 2014 seems a distant echo, but even though the horizon of expectations has shrunk there are still some appetising dishes on the table which both sides can pick and choose to suit their taste and some serious business to transact.
Looking ahead, cutting through minutiae and complexity of issues, the really important question for India is whether the new US president believes in a “New India” which PM Modi is trying to create and whether this new India synthesises with Trump’s promise of Making America Great Again. If there is win-win fit, then indeed the chronic “hesitations of history” will be passe, and a new symphony can steer India-US relations onto a higher trajectory. Read more…

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The Trump Card? High stakes for India (Modi visit to US)

- by India Writes Network

US President Donald Trump has made many positive remarks about India, has made several complaints against the Chinese policies and has shown his determination to crush Islamic extremism.
Since about 20 percent of organisations, designated as terrorist organisations by the US, happen to be located in the Af-Pak region, the US-Pakistan relations cannot be trouble-free.
The strategic scenario in the region provides a fertile ground for India-US ties to flourish, but Washington and New Delhi need to tread carefully, keeping in mind each other’s concerns.

Current signals indicate that the Indo-US ties under the Trump Administration will face no major difficulties in further boosting the emerging strategic partnership between the two countries. But it is better to wait and watch in view of the paradigm change, expected in the ways the US engages the world, under the Trump Presidency.

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