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Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Abraham ‘Avi’ Dichter, lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his swift call to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu following the October 7, 2023 terror attacks by Hamas.
Speaking at the Rising Bharat Summit 2025 in New Delhi, Dichter described PM Modi’s gesture as a sign of ‘true friendship’, emphasizing how India stood by Israel during a critical time.
“One of the first leaders to call PM Netanyahu was Prime Minister Modi,” said Dichter. “He offered help without delay—that’s what friendship means.”
President Trump has been a remarkable friend of the State of Israel. 🇮🇱🇺🇸
He has been a great champion of our alliance. We are working together to bring our hostages home – all of them.@realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/8IgMb6YYbI
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) April 7, 2025
The CNN-News18-hosted summit, held on April 8–9, featured over 75 sessions and 100+ speakers, including PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The event highlighted India’s rising global stature and its future leadership ambitions.
India-Israel Agricultural Cooperation
Dichter also emphasized growing cooperation between India and Israel in agriculture.
Citing Israel’s diverse climate zones—from snow-capped north to the Red Sea coast—he said the country acts as a ‘laboratory’ for agricultural innovation.
“Our discussions with India’s Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan focused on experimenting boldly—‘make new mistakes’ to innovate faster,” he added.
India and Israel have long been partners. Under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, these ties have grown even stronger.
It gives me immense pleasure to share that an MoU has been signed between the Government of India & the Government of Israel for cooperation in… pic.twitter.com/7BTvW3EA96
— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) April 8, 2025
Ongoing Conflict & Gaza Crisis
Addressing the Gaza conflict, Dichter outlined Israel’s three core objectives post the October 7 attacks: dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities, toppling its regime, and securing the release of hostages.
Of the 255 hostages taken, 59 remain in Gaza, including 22 confirmed alive.
He clarified Israel’s stance on ceasefire, “Ceasefire means fire between two fires. We had two agreements—both broken by Hamas. We resumed operations to prevent further escalation.”
Dichter said that ending the conflict hinges on hostage release and eliminating Hamas’s influence in the Gaza Strip.
Strategic Outlook & Global Alignment
Commenting on Donald Trump’s past presidency, Dichter recalled his decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem and take bold action against threats like Iran and the Houthis.
On Trump’s proposed ‘Gaza Riviera’ plan, he said it reflects the scale of US capability to rehabilitate displaced Gazans.
He also spoke on the India-Israel-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, framing it as a ‘corridor of peace’ to counter Iran’s influence.
“The good guys will beat the bad guys,” he asserted.
Dichter emphasized Israel’s partnership with India as central to shaping a peaceful and progressive region.
As India charts its course toward global leadership by 2047, summits like Rising Bharat are catalyzing dialogue on innovation, resilience, and strategic cooperation.
Also Read: Portugal Reaffirms Support For India’s UNSC Bid As President Murmu Concludes State Visit
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