India's Modi heads to Israel, lifting the curtain on close ties

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India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins his first visit to Israel on Tuesday.

India has traditionally trodden a careful diplomatic line in the region, analysts say, wary of upsetting Arab states and Iran, upon whom it relies for its vast imports of oil, and its large Muslim minority. It has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, even as it quietly pursued ties with Israel.

But now Modi is lifting the curtain on a thriving military relationship. He will hold three days of talks with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, to advance sales and production of missiles, drones and radar systems under his signature "Make in India" drive, officials in Delhi and Tel Aviv said.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (L) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hug each other after reading their joint statement at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, November 15, 2016. /VCG Photo

Netanyahu, hailing what he described as Modi's "historic visit," said on Monday he and the Indian leader have worked together over the past few years to build a "steadfast friendship" between Israel and India.

"This visit will deepen cooperation in a wide range of fields, security, agriculture, water, energy, basically in almost every field Israel is involved in," Netanyahu told his cabinet in public remarks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem, June 18, 2017. /VCG Photo

Modi will not travel to Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority and a customary stop for visiting leaders trying to maintain a balance in political ties.

At home, the apparent shift in what has long been a bedrock of India's foreign policy risks sharpening criticism that the country's 180 million Muslims are increasingly being marginalized under Modi's Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, which swept to power in 2014.

"Narendra Modi's visit to Israel will only strengthen its occupation of Palestine," said Asaduddin Owaisi, a member of India's federal parliament from a regional group that promotes Muslim rights.

(Source: Reuters)