The two leaders discussed the importance of securing freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb, which is threatened by the aggression of the Houthis, instigated by Iran, and the global interest in preventing attacks on the global economy and trade, as well as the Indian and Israeli economies.

That is the narrow area connecting the bottom of the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and all shipping to and from the Suez Canal as well as Israel’s Port of Eilat must pass through there. Houthi terrorists, at the behest of Iran, have been attacking cargo ships there.

Indian Prime Minister Modi noted that freedom of navigation is an essential global necessity that must be ensured.

The leaders also discussed advancing the arrival of foreign workers from India to the State of Israel. Israel needs people to work in a number of industries due to labor shortages caused by the war in Gaza.

Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked Indian Prime Minister Modi for India’s support of Israel’s just war to eliminate the Hamas terrorist organization.

Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi attend an Israeli-Indian economic conference in New Delhi, Jan. 15, 2018

Netanyahu and India PM Modi discuss Iran threat to shipping