On Last Day in Israel, India PM Modi Visits Beach With PM Netanyahu

On the last day of his historic visit to Israel, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Israeli counterpart Binyamin Netanyahu traveled to Haifa by helicopter.

Modi visited the Indian cemetery in Haifa were he paid his respects to the Indian soldiers who had died during World War I. He also laid a wreath at the cemetery that contains the graves of Indian soldiers.

He also unveiled a plaque commemorating Major Dalpat Singh, known as the ‘Hero of Haifa’ for his critical role in the liberation of the city. “I am deeply honored to stand here today to salute the valiant Indian soldiers, who laid down their lives for the liberation of Haifa during the WW I,” Modi wrote in the guest book.

“The exceptional bravery and supreme sacrifice of Major Thakur Dalpat Singh MC, the “Hero of Haifa” and his men, will be remembered forever and continue to inspire generations to come. Next year, the centenary of the battle of Haifa will present another opportunity to mark this enduring bond between India and Israel,” he wrote.

Later, the two prime ministers visited the Olga beach where Modi was shown the state-of-the-art desalination plant.

Last year, India and Israel had signed an agreement on desalination when President Reuven Rivlin was in the country. During his visit, PM Modi was also given a demonstration of a mobile water filtration plant at the beach. The two prime ministers sipped water produced by the machine, served in wine glasses, before wading ankle-deep into the surf.

During the visit, the two leaders signed seven agreements related to space, water management and agriculture.

Narendra Modi is the first ever Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel. From Israel, the Indian prime minister will travel to Germany to attend the G-20 Summit.