Netanyahu in Delhi, India signs nine agreements with Israel

NEW DELHI: India and Israel on Monday exchanged nine agreements for cooperation in different areas including cyber security, oil and gas, space and science and technology, civil aviation, information and broadcasting and health.
The agreements were exchanged after delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in New Delhi.
During the talks, both the leaders discussed host of issues including defence cooperation, trade, innovation, counter terrorism, agriculture and water harvesting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said discussions between him and his Israeli counterpart covered wide ranging issues and were marked by the desire to do more.
In his remarks after the delegation level talks, Modi invited Israeli defence companies to India for co- production and take advantage of the liberalised FDI regime to make more in India with Indian companies.
Stating that thriving two-way trade and investment is an integral part of vision for a strong partnership, Prime Minister said, he and Mr. Netanyahu have agreed on the need to do more in this direction.
He said they exchanged views on scaling up the Centers of Excellence that have been a main-stay of agricultural cooperation by bringing in advanced Israeli practices and technology.
He said the two nations will strengthen the existing pillars of cooperation in areas of agriculture, science and technology and security.
The Prime Minister said, the two countries are venturing into less explored areas of cooperation, such as oil and gas, cyber security, films, and start-ups to diversify and broad-base engagement.
He said, an Indian Cultural Center will soon open in Israel to bring people closer on both sides.
The two leaders also decided to start an annual exchange of bilateral visits by 100 young people from science-related educational streams.
In his statement, Mr Netanyahu said, India and Israel remember the horrific incident of Mumbai terror attacks and both nations will never give in and will fight against terrorism.
He said, Israelis in India have never ever faced the anti-Semitism that they faced in so many places across the world.
He described Prime Minister Modi as a revolutionary leader and said he is revolutionizing India and catapulting the magnificent state into the future.
Earlier in the morning, Mr Netanyahu was given a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Talking to reporters after the ceremony, Israel Prime Minister said, his visit to New Delhi is the dawn of a new era in friendship between India and Israel.
He added that the flourishing partnership can bring prosperity, peace and progress for the people of both the countries.
It is the first visit of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to India. He yesterday arrived on a six-day visit.
On Tuesday, Mr Netanyahu will inaugurate the third edition of the annual Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. During his stay, the Israeli Prime Minister will also visit Agra, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.