JERUSALEM : Israeli President Reuven Rivlin today said that he is looking forward to his visit to India later this year to further solidify bilateral relations for enhancing cooperation in fields like security and innovation.
“The cooperation between the two countries is something that is said all over. The cooperation is not only in innovation but you know very well that we are trying our very best to address problems of agriculture, water, energy, cyber and every need of security that we have to work out in order to be prepared for the kind of burden of security that is imposed on both people,” Rivlin said.
“I would like to see your Prime Minister here. I know that I am going to visit your wonderful country in the next few months”, the 76-year-old Israeli President said after Indian Ambassador Pavan Kapoor presented his credentials to the Israeli Head of State.
Kapoor thanked the Israeli leader for his country’s support to India in many areas, particularly for the timely support to New Delhi during the Kargil war.
“We have been receiving Israel’s help in a number of areas, including defence for a long time. We always remember the great help Israel gave to us in 1999 when we were faced with aggression from our neighbour,” he said.
“Since then we have been seeking and received very good help in agriculture, which is something very important from us. There has been further exchanges in the area of water. We are suffering a lot on the water front. Unfortunately, we either have droughts or floods in our country. We have a lot to learn from Israel,” Kapoor added.
The Indian envoy also mentioned that the visit of Minister of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation, Uma Bharti, which had to be postponed at the last moment due to her medical condition is likely to be scheduled again soon.
“We are looking forward to your visit to India very soon. I know that there were some dates in the middle of September that were suggested but unfortunately our President would be away at that time but we are looking at other possible dates to have you there. I think it would be a landmark visit,” Kapoor asserted.
The Israeli President also complimented the Indian students studying in Israel, saying “they are among the best” of the lot.
“I am told that 10 per cent of students from abroad learning in Israel are from India. They are among the best students we have, not only among the foreign students but among the best of all students. We are proud that they find Israel attractive to learn,” Rivlin said.
The Israeli leader highlighted that among many things in common between India and Israel is the “readiness to learn and readiness to improve”.
“We both are ready to find any kind of innovation to our lives for the betterment of our people and for our mutual interest,” he said. (PTI)
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