Facts:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit marks the 25 years of establishment of diplomatic relationship between India and Israel.
Major developments:
- OCI Card: Faster facilitation of OCI cards for Jewish Citizens of Indian origin in Israel.
- Air Connectivity: New direct flight
- As a special gesture, a new fast growing Israeli Crysanthumun flower was named “MODI” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Important for Prelims 2018)
- Strategic Partnership: India and Israel have announced that they have elevated their ties to a strategic partnership as India has identified Israel as a major development and technological partner. Both countries have also agreed to combat growing radicalization and terrorism and expand co-operation in cyber security.
- Israel India Innovation Fund: The $40 million Israel India Innovation Initiative Fund has been launched as a five-year technology fund with an aim at growing the business relationship between both the countries. The similar type of fund had boosted Israel’s ties with that of the US in the past 40 years.