Transcription
Meet Hodu Mani.
His Excellency Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, His Excellency Mr. Amir Ohana, speaker of the message, His Excellency, Mr. Yid, lead of opposition, honorable members of the Kest, my dear sisters and brothers, shalom. Namaste.
Honorable members. It is a privilege and an honor for me to stand before this distinguished house. I do so as the prime minister of India and also as a representative of one ancient civilization addressing another. I bring with me the greetings of 1.4 4 billion Indians and a message of friendship, respect and partnership.
I thank you, Mr. speaker for your kind invitation and for your wonderful gesture of lighting up the kesset in Indian colors. Your visit to India three years ago was the first by a speaker of the net and thanks to you I'm the first prime minister of India to address this august gathering.
9 years ago, I had the good fortune to be the first prime minister of India to visit Israel and I'm very happy to be here again returning to a land to which I have always felt drawn. After all, I was born on the same day that India formally recognize Israel, September 17, 1950.
Honorable members, I also carry with me the deepest condolences of the people of India. For every life lost and for every family whose world was shattered in the barbaric terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7. We feel your pain. We share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly with full conviction in this moment and beyond.
No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism. India has also endured the pain of terrorism for a long time. We remember the 2611 Mumbai attacks and the innocent lives lost including Israeli citizens like you. We have consistent and uncompromising policy of zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards.
Terrorism aims to destabilize societies to block development and to erode trust. Countering terrorism requires sustained and coordinated global action because terror anywhere threatens peace everywhere. That is why India supports all efforts that contribute to durable peace and regional stability.
Some years ago when you concluded the Abraham Accords, we applauded your courage and vision. It was a moment of new hope for a long troubled region. Since then the situation has changed significantly. The path is even more challenging. Yet it is important to sustain that hope.
The Gaja Peace Initiative that was endorsed by the UN Security Council offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative. We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region including by addressing the Palestine issue. Let all our efforts be guided by wisdom, courage, and humanity. The road to peace is not always easy, but India joins you and the world for dialogue, peace and stability in this region.
Honorable members in India, there is a great admiration for Israel's resolve, courage, and achievements. Long before we related to each other, as modern states, we were linked by ties that go back more than 2,000 years. The book of Esther refers to India as Hudu. The Talmud records trade with India in ancient times. Jewish merchants travel across sea roots that connected the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean. They came seeking opportunity and dignity. And in India they became one of us. Jewish communities have lived in India without fear of persecution or discrimination. They have preserved their faith and participated fully in society. That record is a source of pride for us.
Honorable members, the Benet Israel of Maharashtra, the Cochini Jews of Keralam, the Baghdadi Jews of Kolkata and Mumbai and the Ben Manasi of the northeast have enriched India. In my home state Gujarat, there is a school set up by a Ben Israeli family, Mr. and Mrs. Best. It is an excellent school and of course it is called the best school. Edin Meyers gave shape to the films division of India and was towering figure in the history of Indian cinema. Dr. Ruben David was the founder of the Kagaria Jew in Ahmedabad. The actor David Abraham Chulkar or Uncle David become a household name across the country. Walter Kaufman composed the signature tune for all India radio. David Sassoon built many institution that still serve Indian society and of course the heroic contribution of left and general JFR Jakob during the 1970 war with Pakistan is widely known. I had the honor of working closely with him after his retirement. We discussed India Israel relations among many other things over many cups of tea. There have been countless others whose contributions are woven into India's rich fabric of life.
Honorable members, there was moment from India to Israel too when many Indian Jews migrated to Israel. in mid in the mid 20th century. Today a vibrant Indian origin Jewish community lives here. They are contributed to the building of modern Israel in laboratories and hospitals in classrooms and also on the battlefield. They hold firmly that Israel is the Israel is their fatherland and India their motherland. We are proud of them.
Honorable members, India's connection to this land is also written in blood and sacrifice. During the first world war, more than 4,000 Indian soldiers laid down their lives in this region. The cavalry charge at Hifa in September 1918 remains a significant chapter in military history. Major Tur Dalpa Singh remember at the hero of Haya symbolize the shared history. During my last visit I was deeply moved to pay my respect at the high memorial for Indian soldiers.
Honorable members, last month the world marked the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Holocaust stands as one of humanity's darkest chapter. Eight. Even in those turbulent years, some acts of humanity stood out. The Maharaja of Navanagar in Gujarat also known as the Jam Sahib offered refuse to Polish children including Jewish children who had nowhere else to turn. I'm told that a statue of Jamsa was unveiled in Mosha Neatim recently. Thank you. Thank you for this honor and remembrance.
Honorable members, after India's independence, many Indian leaders felt a kinship with the people of Israel. India's parliamentary debates of the 1950s are witness to their admiration for Israel's effort to develop agriculture in the desert. The kibbut's movement of Israel inspired our leaders like Achari Vino and Lnai Naran. First in my home state Gujarat and now across India I have seen the approach of per drop mercrop work wonders in agriculture. My own first visit to Israel was in 2006 at the chief minister of Gujarat. Later in 2017, during my visit to Israel as prime minister, our two countries elevated the relationship to a strategic partnership. Since then our engagement has expanded in scale and scope and we are committed to further consolidate this relationship across many sectors.
Honorable members, for the last few years, India has been the fastest growing major economy in the world. Soon we will be among the top three economies globally. At the same time, Israel is a powerhouse of innovation and technological leadership. This creates a natural foundation for our forwardlooking partnership. We are committed to expanding trade, strengthening investment flows and promoting joint infrastructure development. The bilateral investment treaty signed last year will provide confidence and predictability to our businesses.
In the last few years, India has concluded a number of important trade agreements with other nations. To your west, the European Union and the UK. To your east, the UAE and Oman. Our bilateral goods trade has grown significantly in recent years but it does not reflect the full scope of opportunity. That is why our teams are working hard to negotiate an ambitious free trade agreement. It will unlock the vast untapped potential in our trade relationship.