I for I is India for Israel, says PM Modi

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New Delhi: Prime Minister NarendraModi has coined a new term, ‘I for I’ to describe Indo-Israel relationship, again demonstrating his love for word- and alphabet-play.

Clearly, the PM didn't mean it in the traditional way the phrase 'eye for an eye' is used. He meant something quite different. 

"I for I. Which means India for Israel and Israel for India," PM Modi said, when he called on Israeli President ReuvenRivlin.
Modi had met Rivlin at his residence and thanked him for the "warm hospitality and friendship". 

"The President of Israel welcomed me so warmly, he broke protocol. This is a mark of respect for the people of India," Modi tweeted earlier. 

When he called on him, Modi recalled Rivlin's "affable manner" during a visit to India last year.

"It is a privilege to meet President Rivlin again today. I fondly recall his visit to India last November when he charmed us with his affable manner and desire to do more with India," Modi wrote in the guest book at the President's residence. 

"President Rivlin is admired in India for his unstinting belief and common good of mankind, I thank him for his friendship and his warm hospitality," wrote Mr. Modi, who is the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel.