Modi to address Indian diaspora during Israel trip

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic two-day visit to Israel from July 5 will witness his signature reachout to Indian diaspora, at Tel Aviv, which includes Gujaratis and Jews, who have migrated back to their homeland with memories of their decades-long stay here.

Apart from a bilateral engagement that is expected to entail signing of memorandums of understanding in defence, agriculture and innovations, a convention has been planned in Tel Aviv on the opening day of his visit, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Modi will address NRIs following a cultural programme, said BJP’s foreign policy department head Vijay Chauthaiwale.

Modi, who had started the trend of addressing NRIs with the Madison Square event during his maiden US tour after his swearing-in in May 2014, will also visit Jerusalem, he said.

Among the expatriates are a sizeable number of Gujaratis involved in diamond trade, which accounts for half of the business between the two countries. During his visit to Surat last week, the hub of the diamond business in the country, Modi had announced that he would be the first prime minister to go to Israel on “their (people)  behalf” since “you have trading relations with that country”. Nurses from Kerala have landed in Israel over the years looking for jobs.

The reverse migration of Jews began post Independence. Chauthaiwale estimates that about 80,000 of them flew back from Mumbai, Cochin and North East, and continue to relish Indian culture.