It’s Official: Modi Confirms His Israel Visit, First By An Indian Prime Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was addressing a gathering in diamond-trading hub Surat, has confirmed his Israel visit set for early July.

"I'm soon going to Israel, in fact I'm the first Prime Minister to go to Israel, and I'm going there on your behalf. You have trading relations with that country," said Modi, who was speaking after inaugurating a hospital in Surat.

This is reportedly the first official confirmation of his visit. Earlier, the Hindustan Times, attributing the information to Indian sources, reported that Modi’s maiden visit to the Jewish nation will begin on 5 July.

He announced his visit in Surat, the country’s diamond-trading hub, probably because Israel also is a world leader in producing cut diamonds. Modi’s visit is expected to take the relationship between the two nations beyond the realm of defence and security.

The visit, a two-day long affair, will be followed by Modi’s participation in the G-20 Summit at Hamburg, Germany on 7-8 July. He is expected to meet, among other world leaders, US President Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the summit.

Also Read: Modi’s Israel Visit Will Bring The Relationship Out Of Purdah