Israeli PM: Israeli and Indian relationship at ’the dawn of new era‘

World
Europe

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Indian and Israeli relationship has entered "the dawn of new era," as the two countries deepen cooperation with deals for gas, oil, cyber security and agricultural projects.

The Israeli prime minister is on a six-day maiden visit to India to boost trade ties and iron out differences arising from New Delhi's decision to scrap a 500-million-US-dollar order to buy Spike anti-tank guided missiles from Israel's state-owned defense contractor Rafael.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered a warm welcome to Netanyahu's first visit to India at a press conference after the signing of agreements at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks as his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a signing of agreements ceremony at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India January 15, 2018. / Reuters Photo‍

At the press conference, nine documents were exchanged among cyber security, oil, air transport, medicine, and investment between the two countries.

Modi said both countries look to diversified engagement among the various fields, especially on agriculture, education and innovation. Both should seek to gain constituency support beyond governments, he added.

Netanyahu drew on the 25 years of diplomatic relations between India and Israel, pointing out the kinship of free people connects the two countries together.

"I think the intrinsic tie of friendship is the intrinsic tie of life," he said.

Aside from New Delhi, Netanyahu and his 130-member delegation will also visit India's financial capital Mumbai and Modi's home state of Gujarat.

(With inputs from agencies.)

3786km