New Delhi:Prime Minister NarendraModi has urged the Indian diaspora in Israel to visit India more often and announced plans to launch flight service to Tel Aviv from Delhi and Mumbai.

The Indian Prime Minister promised to ease the process of acquiring Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards by Israelis of Indian origin. People of Indian community who have done compulsory army service in Israel will be eligible for OCI cards. He also announced that an Indian Cultural Centre would be set up in Israel.

Soon after ascending the dais at the Tel Aviv Convention Center, PM Modi touched upon the fact that this was the first ever visit by an Indian premier to the Jewish nation.

"For the first time in 70 years, an Indian PM has got an opportunity to visit Israel. This is a matter of joy... It took many years for this visit to happen," Modi said.

PM Modi's visit, which marks 25 years of diplomatic relations between India and Israel, has been replete with frequent avowals of the enduring alliance rooted in shared cultural values between the two countries.

"India's ties to Israel are about tradition, culture, mutual trust and friendship. Israel has shown that more than size, it is the spirit that matters," the Indian leader said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also joined PM Modi on-stage. Greeting the 6,000-strong audience with a "Namaste", Netanyahu expressed his love and respect for the Indian community in Israel.

"We always remember that there is a human bridge between us, we admire you, respect you, love you," he said.

In a firm endorsement of the deepening cooperation between India and Israel, Netanyahu said with PM Modi's historic visit, the two leaders were building a future between the two democracies.

"It's a partnership made in heaven, but happening right now, here on earth," the Israeli Prime Minister said, eliciting roars of approval from the crowd.
There are 80,000 Jews of Indian-origin living in Israel. Thousands belonging to the Indian diaspora were in attendance at the event, with many "overjoyed" and "proud" that their dream of hosting an Indian premier in Israel has come true.