Come join my party: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tells PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met his Israeli counterpart Naftali Bennett on the sidelines of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow. A video of their interaction was tweeted by the official Twitter account of the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel. In the video, Bennett praised PM Modi saying, “You are the most popular person in Israel”.

In a light-hearted conversation, Bennett also invited PM Modi to “come join my party” and the two were seen sharing a laugh.

Also read: PM Modi to chair review meeting with districts having low vaccination rates today

PM Modi and Bennett’s maiden formal meeting came after their brief interaction on Monday during the climate conference. On Tuesday, during their meeting, they reviewed the bilateral ties besides exchanging views about expanding cooperation in areas of high-technology and innovation.

“Glad to have met, yet again, PM @naftalibennett. We had fruitful talks on boosting India-Israel friendship in sectors such as research, innovation and futuristic technologies. These sectors are critical for empowering our youngsters,” PM Modi said in a tweet.

Also read: Ken Welch becomes first Black mayor of St. Petersburg

PM Bennett described the “deep relationship” between India and Israel as one coming from the heart and not being about interests and urged the Indian Prime Minister to work together to take the bilateral ties to “a whole new level”.

“I want to thank you. You’re the person who restarted the relationship between India and Israel, which is a deep relationship between two unique civilizations – the Indian civilization, the Jewish civilization – and I know it comes from your heart. It’s not about interests; it’s about a deep conviction that you harbour and we feel it,” Bennett told Modi at the meeting.

Also read: Trump calls Virginia elections for GOP’s Glenn Youngkin, thanks MAGA voters

PM Modi also extended an invitation to Bennett to visit India. He also recalled that next year would mark 30 years of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between India and Israel.

“Next year will be the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relation between India and Israel and in this context, PM Modi invited Naftali Bennett to visit India,” said foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shrigla during a press conference on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister was in Glasgow, where he attended the COP26 events and held bilaterals with several leaders. The Prime Minister is now on his way back to India.

“Departing after 2 days of intense discussions about the future of our planet. India has not only exceeded Paris commitments but has now also set an ambitious agenda for the next 50 years,” he said in a tweet.