Netanyahu in India LIVE: Israeli PM and Wife Touring Taj Mahal; to Have Lunch With Yogi Later

Netanyahu and Modi waded into the Mediterranean Sea and rode the "buggy" jeep on the coast during the latter's visit to Israel in July last year. The jeep is said to cost around 390,000 shekels (approximately USD 111,000). Gal-Mobile is an independent, integrated water purification vehicle, designed to produce high-quality drinking water. It can be useful in natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, military use in difficult terrain and rural areas to provide drinkable water.

NETANYAHU'S GIFT FOR MODI | Visiting Israeli Prime Minister will present his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi a special gift - the Gal-Mobile water desalinisation and purification jeep the two leaders rode on Israel's Olga beach last year. According to a PTI report, the jeep has reached India. "It has reached Delhi and is on its way to Bhuj," sources told PTI. "There will be a live demonstration of desalination of sea water that the two Prime administers will witness through video conferencing from the iCreate centre on Janaury 17," they said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with his wife Sara visited the 17^th century Mughal monument Taj Mahal. Netanyahu was earlier received by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Kheria Airport. In view of the Israeli prime minister's visit, the Taj Mahal remained closed for over two hours for tourists. (Image: News18)

Netanyahu was received by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Kheria Airport on Tuesday. He was accorded a traditional welcome by Braj folk artists on his arrival at the airport. (Image courtesy: Twitter/@CMOfficeUP)

In December last year, India voted in favour of a resolution brought by Turkey and Yemen in the UN opposing the United States' decision recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

HOMEOPATHY AND ISRAEL | Among other things, India and Israel also signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation and boost research in homoeopathy, a system of alternative medicine. The pact was signed between Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, and Centre for Integrative Complementary Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Centre, Jerusalem. The MoU is a part of the nine agreements signed between the two countries after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

DIPLOMACY OVER TEA | With a brew that embraced cultures, the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday chose to serve a cup of "olive tea" to visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, underlining the coming together of two traditions. The Israeli prime minister was served the olive tea when he called on President Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi. The tea is manufactured in Bikaner by the Rajasthan Olive Cultivation Ltd, a joint venture between the state government and Israeli partners. The diplomatic nuance underlining the warm ties between Israel and India was listed by Rashtrapati Bhavan in its official statement as a prominent example of the cooperation between the two countries in agriculture.

After his Taj Mahal visit and lunch with Yogi Adityanath, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will return to Delhi and inaugurate the third edition of the geo-political conference, 'Raisina Dialogue', on Tuesday evening. 

Heavy security deployment at the Taj Mahal complex. (Image: News18)

SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS | The Uttar Pradesh authorities have turned Agra into a fortress in view of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit. Heavy security arrangements have been put in place with over 1,500 Indian security personnel guarding the 5 kilometre stretch that Israeli Netanyahu will be travelling on, during his visit to the Taj Mahal. CRPF personnel, Rapid Action Force and police teams have been deployed to take care of the security arrangements for the high-profile delegation of 130 members.

A timeline of how the diplomatic relations between India and Israel have progressed over the years. (Image courtesy: Network18 Creatives)

A timeline of how the diplomatic relations between India and Israel have progressed over the years. (Image courtesy: Network18 Creatives)

A timeline of how the diplomatic relations between India and Israel have progressed over the years. (Image courtesy: Network18 Creatives)

Benjamin Netanyahu and Sara Netanyahu are scheduled to have lunch with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath after touring the Taj Mahal for a couple of hours.

Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara being accompanied by Yogi Adityanath at a hotel in Agra.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara in Agra, received by CM Yogi Adityanath. #NetanyahuInIndia pic.twitter.com/fjgBHpGno4

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 16, 2018

The Netanyahus have entered the Taj Mahal complex riding battery-operated golf carts. The Taj complex has been shut for all other visitors since 11am. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara are being accompanied by the Israeli delegation and security personnel. They are expected to tour the monument for a couple of hours as the couple has the entire monument to themselves, reports CNN-News18's Zeba Warsi.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaches the five-star hotel along with wife Sara and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They will soon reach the Taj Mahal riding golf carts. The monument will remain shut for a few hours for the Israeli delegation's visit. The Prime Minister is being accompanied by his security personnel. 

NETANYAHUS REACH AGRA | Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara have now reached Agra. They will first be taken to the Oberoi Amarvilas and then the Taj Mahal through the eastern gates in golf carts. After touring the Taj for a couple of hours they will return to the hotel, where Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will host them for lunch at the hotel.

Speaking on the issue of terror combat, both Modi and Netanyahu on Monday reiterated the importance of building comprehensive cooperation in counter-terrorism, including cyber-space. On his part, Netanyahu said Indians and Israelis know the "true pain" of a terror attacks.

India and Israel inked nine pacts to boost cooperation in key areas such as cyber security and gas and oil after extensive delegation-level talks.

NETANYAHU'S LOVE FOR BOLLYWOOD | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he and his wife Sara were elated that they will get to to see Bollywood up close when they travel to Mumbai. Netanyahu will be travelling to Mumbai on January 18 and will attend an exclusive "Shalom Bollywood" event. "My wife and I are very happy, we going to Bollywood. We would like to see it first hand," the Israeli prime minister, popularly known as 'Bibi', said at a joint press event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Modi and Netanyahu also noted with that the next meeting of the Joint Working Groups on Homeland and Public Security will be held in February 2018, the statement said. They reiterated the importance of building comprehensive cooperation in counter-terrorism, including cyber-space, a joint statement issued on Monday said.

JOINT STATEMENT ON TERROR | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday held "wide- ranging and intensive" talks to bolster cooperation in key areas such as defence and counter-terrorism. The two leaders noted the "grave" threat that terrorism poses to peace and security, including from non-state actors, and reiterated that there can be no justification for acts of terror on any ground, a joint statement, issued after the Modi-Netanyahu meeting, said. They also advocated strong measures against terrorists, terror organisations, those who sponsor, encourage or finance terrorism or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, it said.

Elaborate arrangements in Agra as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the Taj Mahal. 

#Visuals from Agra ahead of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visit to Taj Mahal today #NetanyahuInIndia pic.twitter.com/BCUcCGwBSG

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 16, 2018

The Taj Mahal will be closed for visitors between 11 am and 12.30 am on Tuesday morning as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara tour the 17th century monument. 

One of the many hugs that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu exchanged on Monday, reflecting on the great camaraderie the two share. (Image courtesy: Twitter/@narendramodi)

MODI-NETANYAHU BONHOMIE | The bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his "good friend" Benjamin Netanyahu was on full display on Monday and grabbed the headlines as the two leaders hugged and shook hands a number of times during their joint press event. While the visiting Israeli prime minister called Modi a "revolutionary leader" and used an endearment like "my friend Narendra", Modi responded with great warmth, welcoming the guest in Hebrew. Netanyahu said he was willing to participate in a "yoga class" with his "friend Narendra". The same is likely to continue on Tuesday as well when PM Modi accompanies Netanyahu and his wife Sara to Agra.

ARRANGEMENTS IN AGRA | Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has made elaborate arrangements to welcome Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara to Agra on Tuesday. They will be accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Taj Mahal. The roads leading to the 17th century mausoleum has been covered with posters and hoardings with welcome messages for Netanyahu. Heavy police deployment along the way as the Israeli leader heads for Agra.

Netanyahu will be accompanied by a 130-member delegation from various sectors including cyber, agriculture and defence.

"India's development agenda is huge. It presents a vast economic opportunity for Israeli companies. I invite more and more Israeli people, businesses and companies to come and work in India," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while promising all support to them. In the presence of visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Modi said, "We want to do more and do better" to improve ease of doing business in the country.