(Image credits: X @ZvikaKlein)

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi featured on the front page of Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday (local time) ahead of his visit to Israel.The newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief Zvika Klein shared the front page showing a photograph of PM Modi waving, alongside feature stories on his visit and India–Israel ties. One headline read “Welcome, Modi,” while another said “New Delhi’s burgeoning partnership with Jerusalem”.PM Modi has departed for Israel and will deliver a speech at the Knesset.The edition also carried an interview with India’s envoy to Israel, JP Singh, who highlighted the significance of PM Modi’s planned address to the Knesset. “One of the most important elements will be that he will be the first prime minister from India to address the Knesset,” Singh was quoted as saying by the Jerusalem Post.

Singh said the aim is to broaden and deepen bilateral ties beyond a limited number of sectors to a more comprehensive framework including financial cooperation, trade and cross-border payments, with potential future work on financial systems and money-transfer infrastructure.Also read | ‘Will consolidate ties’: PM Modi leaves for Israel — what’s on agendaThe visit, at the invitation of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, will be PM Modi’s second to Israel after his landmark 2017 trip when he became the first Indian prime minister to visit the country. Reflecting on the importance of the trip, Netanyahu called it “historic” and described PM Modi as a “dear friend”. “This morning, at the opening of our Cabinet meeting, I spoke about the historic visit of my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to Israel this coming Wednesday,” he said.During the visit, PM Modi and Netanyahu will review progress in the India–Israel Strategic Partnership and discuss cooperation in science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy, and people-to-people exchanges. PM Modi will also call on Israeli President Isaac Herzog.