Advertisement
Narendra Modi
AsiaDiplomacy

Despite the Modi man hug, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu is disappointed by Indian ally’s Jerusalem rejection

India joined more than 100 countries at the United Nations in voting last month to condemn Washington’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sarah are welcomed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon their arrival at the Airport in New Delhi. Photo: EPA
Agence France-Presse

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he was “disappointed” by India’s refusal to back recognition of Jerusalem as his country’s capital but would not let it spoil his landmark visit to the Asian giant.

Netanyahu also vowed that Israel would “catch up” with the killers of a Jewish couple murdered in 2008 attacks in Mumbai whose son is accompanying him on a six-day trip to India.

The Israeli leader arrived Sunday at the head of the biggest business delegation he has taken on a foreign visit.

Advertisement

Netanyahu told the India Today media group, in an interview released Monday, that he has a “special relationship” with his counterpart Narendra Modi.

But the run-up was clouded by India joining more than 100 countries at the United Nations in voting last month to condemn Washington’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Advertisement

“Naturally I am disappointed but I think this visit is a testament to the fact that our relationship is moving forward on so many fronts,” Netanyahu said in the interview.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x