NewsGate Press Network

 Ahead of forthcoming visit by the Israeli prime minister, his defence minister is now on a official visit to New Delhi. On Thursday the 2nd of June 2022 he held meeting with defence minister Rajnath Singh.

The meeting between the two defence ministers, Rajnath Singh and Benjamin Gantz was important as it marked establishment of 30 years of security and diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The defence delegation from Israel is visiting India ahead of a likely visit by their prime minister Mr Naftali Bennett whose March was postponed after he contracted Covid-19.

The new date is yet to be decided.

“I am currently taking off to India for a visit that marks 30 years of diplomatic defense ties between Israel and India. During the visit I will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the expansion of our cooperation,” Gantz said in a tweet last night.

The head of the Israeli Defense Ministry’,s weapons exports department Yair Kulas, Defence Ministry’s Political-Military Bureau head Dror Shalom and Gantz’s military secretary Yaki Dolef are also part of the Israeli delegation.

Gantz’s India visit was initially planned to take place in late March, but it was postponed amid a series of deadly terror attacks in Israel.

Israel has sought to strengthen defense relations with India in recent years particularly in air and missile defense areas.

India has purchased billions of dollars worth of weapon systems in recent years.

Full diplomatic relations between India and Israel were established in 1992.