“I Took Modi To Israel,” Recalls Sharad Pawar

Veteran leader Sharad Pawar was approached by then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, who was desirous of visiting Israel to study its innovative farm techniques and water management initiatives. Pawar was then Union agriculture minister. Once Pawar had announced that he would lead a delegation of agriculturists to Israel. After reading this news, Modi approached him and requested his inclusion in the visiting group. Pawar obliged and Modi could go to Israel, which at the time was extremely strict about granting visitor visas. “Modi called and I responded positively,” Pawar recalled in an informal chat with the media. He was referring to the U.S. president Donald Trump’s claim that it was POTUS who had brokered peace between Iran and Israel. Pawar said it was imperative that Modi should take a clear stand about this conflict. He reminded the PM that his successive predecessors had taken a consistent position about Iran and had stood by it. It was Modi who was the first PM to visit Israel, the veteran leader said. Pawar was quizzed about the current anti-Hindi agitation in Maharashtra and the reticence of some celebrities about the issue. For instance, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has kept mum on the controversy. Pawar said Sachin was a sportsperson and hence it was not necessary that he should talk about this language feud. “Ask Sachin about cricket,” Pawar quipped.  He reiterated that the three-party opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi will fight the coming local body elections unitedly.