JERUSALEM, July 3 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi today described India�s ties with Israel as �special� and said his visit - the first-ever by an Indian premier to the country - will �lead to further cementing� of bilateral ties and cooperation in key areas including counter-terrorism.
�My visit comes at a special moment- we mark 25 years of the establishment of relations between India and Israel this year,� Modi said on the eve of his three-day visit to Israel.
In an interview to the pro-government daily Israel Hayom, Modi said his visit was �based on the deep centuries- old connection between our two peoples.�
�I share the opinion of many of my people, who see Israel as a beacon of technology, as a country that has managed to survive even though the odds were against it.�
Modi�s visit is expected to focus on forging new defence and cyber security ties, two areas in which Israel has sought to portrays itself as a world leader, the daily said.
Separately, in an email sent to Israelis who subscribe to his newsletter, Modi said India�s ties with Israel are �special.�
Modi said his visit will �lead to further cementing� the ties between the two countries, according to Jerusalem Post.
India is the world�s biggest importer of defence equipment, and Israel has become one of its major suppliers. Israeli media have reported that the two countries see more than USD 1 billion in defence deals each year.
Modi said his government is determined to improve ties between India and Israel and raise them to new levels. � PTI
