Narendra Modi's Israel visit: PM's foreign trips not helping India even a bit, says Congress

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his foreign trips, saying they have not benefited India “even a bit” and that only time will tell about the gains from his current visit to Israel. The party’s remarks came as the prime minister left on a three-day visit to Israel, the first by an Indian premier to the country. [caption id=“attachment_3177610” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Ajay Maken. Getty Images[/caption] Senior AICC spokesperson Ajay Maken claimed Modi’s last “64 visits in more than 3 years” have catered only to domestic Indian audience through “televised shows” instead of ensuring concrete gains for the country. “Only the time will tell how India will benefit out of the 65th visit, but if you look at the track record, India has not benefited a bit out of his last foreign visits,” he told reporters. Modi on Monday said he will discuss with his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu common challenges like terrorism and ways to boost the economic ties. In Israel, he will also meet President Reuven Ruvi Rivlin and address the CEOs of the two countries as well as the Indian diaspora. He will also visit the Yad Vashem Memorial Museum to honour the memory of the victims of the holocaust that counts among the greatest tragedies in human history. Modi will also pay his respects to the courageous Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the liberation of Haifa in 1918. The prime minister said he will have “in-depth talks” with Netanyahu “on the full spectrum of our partnership and strengthening it in diverse fields for mutual benefit. We will also have the chance to discuss major common challenges like terrorism.” This year, India and Israel are marking 25 years of their diplomatic relations. On the economic side, he said, “I will join with leading Indian and Israeli CEOs and start-ups to discuss our shared priority of expanding business and investment collaboration on the ground.”