India, Israel to boost cooperation to combat extremism

New Delhi: India and Israel on Tuesday said the international community must act with with resolve against terror networks and states that harbour them and agreed to boost cooperation to combat the forces of extremism and radicalisation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held talks with visiting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin here, said that engagement between India and Israel was multi-dimensional and wide-ranging. 

He said the two leaders deeply value their strong and growing partnership to secure their societies.

"Our people are constantly threatened by forces of terrorism and extremism. We recognize that terrorism is a global challenge, knows no boundaries and has extensive links with other forms of organized crime," Modi said in a joint briefing with the Israel president. 

Without naming Pakistan, Modi said "Regrettably, one of the countries of its origin and spread is in India's neighbourhood."

"We agreed that the international community must act with resolve and determination against terror networks and states that harbour them. Failure to act and silence of speech only encourages the terrorists," he said. 

In his remarks, Rivlin said India and Israel stand together in defending their people and values against the threat of terror.

"Nothing can justify terror. Terror is terror," he said. 

"Israel and India are threatened by terror because we uphold the values of freedom. We stand together in defending our people and values," Rivlin said. 

He also invited Modi to visit Israel.

Earlier in the day, Rivlin was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Rivlin arrived in India on Monday on a week-long state visit -- the first by an Israeli President in nearly 20 years.

Rivlin will visit Taj Mahal in Agra on Wednesday and also visit a water treatment plant in Sikandra. He is also scheduled to visit Chandigarh. 

In his remarks, Modi said the two countries agreed to broadbase their growing defence partnership. 

"We agreed that the international community must act with resolve and determination against terror networks and states that harbour them. Failure to act and silence of speech only encourages the terrorists. We agreed to intensify our cooperation to combat the forces of extremism and radicalisation that threaten all peace-loving nations," he said.

He said the two countries also prioritised practical and specific engagement such as in the cyber domain. 

Modi said Israeli companies can scale up their tie-ups with flagship schemes of Make in India, Digital India, Skill India and Smart Cities as the current trajectory of the Indian economy offered promising opportunities for them. 

He also said that the growing number of Indian students, going to study in Israel and the vice versa, can be an important bridge in the bilateral partnership.

"Two and a half decades of our friendship has brought rich dividends for both our nations. It has also strengthened voices of peace, stability and democracy globally," said Modi, pointing to the two countries celebrating 25 years of full diplomatic relations next year.