“Wake up: the most important PM of the world is coming”, is how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to Israel, the first by an Indian premier, is described in an article in one of the leading Israeli business daily.
Business daily ‘The Marker’ in a feature story in its Hebrew edition discussing Indo-Israel ties says that Israelis had set up huge expectations from US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Jewish state but “he didn’t say much” while Modi, a leader of 1.25 billion people enjoying massive popularity and representing one of the fastest growing economies of the world deserves a lot of attention.
Other local newspapers and news portals have also given a lot of attention to the much-publicised three day trip of Modi with The Jerusalem Post even creating a separate link, “Modi’s Visit”, where it has put up stories related to India.
Most of the local commentators have emphasised on Modi “skipping Ramallah” and it being a standalone visit focussing only on India’s ties with Israel.
“Unlike most world leaders, however, Modi, who governs the world’s largest democracy and second largest nation, apparently is refusing to visit Ramallah during his Israel trip, and will not schedule meetings with Palestinian Authority (PA) chief Mahmoud Abbas or other PA leaders”, Arutz Sheva said in a report.
Modi met Abbas during the PA leader’s trip to India in May, and senior Indian officials have visited Abbas at his Ramallah residence during their trips to Israel, it added.