External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Mr. Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Mr. Vikram Misri, Ambassador of India to Israel JP Singh, Ambassador of Israel to India Aru Azar, members of the distinguished delegation, members of Israel's senior state leadership, heads of foreign missions to Israel, distinguished guests, it is our profound honor to welcome the leader of the world's largest democracy and a defining statesman of our time, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Narendra Modi. Namaste.
For Prime Minister Modi, leadership is not merely the administration of a state but the inspiration of a nation, a huge nation. Guided by that conviction, he has transformed India. He reshaped the landscape in public health, industry, agriculture, and infrastructure. He ignited a digital revolution and drove historic advances in economic improvement and inclusion. He made India the fastest-growing major economy on earth, lifting hundreds of millions of lives. In doing so, he gave new meaning to the words Jai Hind, long live India.
For over two millennia, India gave Jews a home and in our darkest hours, a refuge. India's ancient Jewish communities helped build this land and this country and continue to enrich it with India's culture, cuisine, and warmth. Diplomatic relations were established early, but it was the two prime ministers, Modi and Netanyahu, who forged a true strategic partnership.
In 2017, our guest made history as the first prime minister of India to visit Israel. I was honored at Prime Minister Netanyahu's invitation to meet him as a freshman. Today, it is my great privilege as Speaker of the Knesset to welcome him as the first prime minister of India to address the Knesset and to make history once again. Thank you, Prime Minister Modi.
Between these milestones, cooperation has deepened across every field, most notably in security and technology. As your prime minister said, technology yields its greatest benefit when shared. In that spirit, our nations are invaluable assets to one another.
With my dear friend and esteemed counterpart, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, we signed the first-ever MoU between our parliaments. Over the course of my visit, I encountered a great civilization, a thriving democracy, and a people of remarkable dignity and resolve.
Next week, the Jewish holiday of Purim and the Indian holiday of Holi will coincide. Colors will fill the air as both our nations celebrate light's triumph over darkness. Both our peoples will proclaim the same timeless truth: hope always prevails.
Prime Minister, you are as King David was, both statesman and poet. In your poem Asha, you describe it as a flame that bursts forth to sear the darkness with its might. That flame burns in the Psalms of King David 27:14: 'Hope in the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage. Hope in the Lord.' Our national anthem is called Hatikva, the hope. Mr. Prime Minister, you have called the India-Israel relationship a partnership of hope. From Hatikva to Asha, hope is the hallmark of our bond.
Since last night, Prime Minister, the Knesset building has been illuminated in the colors of India. May the light that unites Jerusalem and New Delhi illuminate our nation's future. Mr. Prime Minister, Jerusalem, welcome to Jerusalem. Welcome to the Knesset.
