Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in Haryana, Indo-Israeli projects in focus

CHANDIGARH: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will visit the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables (CEV) in Karnal district tomorrow to get an overview of Indo-Israeli agricultural projects in Haryana.

India and Israel signed agreements for agriculture partnership in 2006 under which Israel has been sharing its best practices and knowledge through professional training programmes.

Rivlin would visit the nursery in the high-tech green house located at the Centre at Gharaunda. Besides, he would also get an overview of Indo-Israeli projects in India and six Indo-Israeli projects in Haryana, an official spokesman said here today.

Ambassador of Israel in India Daniel Carmon, Agriculture Counsellor Dan Alluf and senior officials of Haryana Government would also be present on this occasion.

Agricultural Centres of Excellence' (CoE) were established in various Indian states to achieve the goals under the Indo-Israeli agreements.

The CoE in Karnal is the most fully developed and operational Centre, an Israeli Embassy spokesman said.

President Rivlin is on a state visit to India on the invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee.

The visit, first by an Israeli President in nearly 20 years, symbolizes the growing partnership between India and Israel.

President Rivlin is accompanied by heads of business and academic delegation including 15 heads of Israeli universities.

Rivlin would be received by Haryana Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar.

The Israeli President arrived on November 14 on an eight-day visit to India.

Rivlin had wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 15. President Pranab Mukherjee yesterday hosted a banquet for the Israeli President, who also visited the Taj Mahal.