Modi gives warm hug to Netanyahu

As a mark of the growing India-Israel friendship, Teen Murti Chowk in central Delhi was formally rechristened as Teen Murti-Haifa Chowk at a ceremony in Teen Murti Memorial attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

The two leaders also laid a wreath and signed the visitors’ book at the memorial.

Setting aside protocol, Modi received Netanyahu at the airport with a warm hug. The Israeli Prime Minister is accompanied by his wife Sara and a 170-member business delegation. This is the first visit by an Israeli PM to the country after 15 years. The last such trip was by Ariel Sharon, who came to India in 2003.

“Welcome to India, my friend PM @Netanyahu! Your visit to India is historic and special. It will further cement the close friendship between our nations,” Modi tweeted in English and Hebrew.

Later they drove to Teen Murti Chowk, where in the visitors’ book; Modi wrote that he saluted the “great Indian traditions of selfless sacrifice and penance” of Indian soldiers, who laid down their lives during the liberation of the city of Haifa and the First World War.

“One of these pages was written 100 years ago, in the sacrifice of Indian soldiers at Haifa. The sacrifice commemorated at Teen Murti observes its centenary. Naming this spot as Teen Murti-Haifa Chowk marks this historic occasion. In the presence of the PM of Israel, we pay homage to the brave soldiers,” Modi wrote in the visitors’ book.

The three bronze statues at Teen Murti represent the Hyderabad, Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers who were part of the 15 Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade. The brigade carried out the victorious assault on the fortified city of Haifa on September 23, 1918, during the World War I.

There are various accounts of this battle — all narrate the valour with which the lancers undertook the assault on the garrisoned city protected by a joint force of Ottomans, Germany and Austria-Hungary.

The liberation of Haifa cleared a supply route for the Allies to the city through the sea. Forty-four Indian soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice during the liberation of the city in the World War I.Till date, the 61 Cavalry celebrates September 23 as its Raising Day or “Haifa Day”.