Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Glasgow UK for COP26 Summit, held crucial talks with several world leaders, including from Israel, Nepal, the UK and several other countries.
After meeting with his Israeli counterpart, Mr Modi tweeted: "Glad to have met, yet again, PM @naftalibennett. We had fruitful talks on boosting India-Israel friendship in sectors such as research, innovation and futuristic technologies. These sectors are critical for empowering our youngsters."
It may be pointed out that there is already a major row over Pegasus technologies in India and some other countries. Nevertheless, from a security perspective, India-Israel ties remain an important feature.
"It was truly great to finally meet you," tweeted new Israeli PM Naftali Bennett on his first meeting with his Indian counterpart Modi at the COP26 conference.
Recalling that next year would mark 30 years of establishing full diplomatic relations between India and Israel, Prime Minister Modi invited Mr. Bennett to visit India. The invitation to Naftali Bennett, observers say, made 'headlines in Israel' as it was understood as a sign from New Delhi that it was comfortable working with the new government within the Jewish state. Modi earlier enjoyed a fantastic personal rapport with Bennet's predecessor Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel has been supplying India with modern weapons systems, missiles and also unmanned aerial vehicles. Both the countries would also set up a working group on defence industry cooperation.
Mr Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Sher Bahadur Deuba. According to an MEA release, both the leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including in ongoing efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The two leaders noted the excellent cooperation between India and Nepal during the pandemic, particularly through the supply of vaccines, medicines and medical equipment from India to Nepal as well as by ensuring the free flow of goods across the borders. Both leaders also agreed to work closely towards post-pandemic recovery," it said.
PM Modi later tweeted: "…Subjects relating to fighting the global pandemic and furthering sustainable development are key parts of our bilateral friendship."
This was, of course, the first meeting of Prime Minister Modi with his new Nepal counterpart Deuba after the telephone conversation between them in July this year after Mr Deuba assumed office.
The Prime Minister also held an important round of meeting with Mr Bill Gates on the sidelines of COP26 in Glasgow on November 2.
Mr Modi expressed "appreciation" for the work done by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in India, the MEA stated. Mr Gates briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of Mission Innovation.
They discussed ways to step up activities in India under Mission Innovation. "Promising opportunities in areas like green hydrogen, aviation fuels, battery storage and vaccine research were also discussed," the MEA statement said.
During his stay in Glasgow, Mr Modi held meetings with Prime Minister of the UK, Boris Johnson, on the sidelines of COP26 in Glasgow and the likes of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
