New Delhi, June 1 (UNI) Marking 30 years of security and diplomatic relations, India and Israel are set to sign a “special security declaration” during Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz’s visit to India starting Thursday.
Gantz will inspect Tri-Service Guard of Honour in presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at South Block lawns on Thursday.
The two leaders will hold bilateral talks. The Israeli Defence Minister is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit.
The ‘special security declaration’ is expected to be largely ceremonial, reports in Israeli media claimed.
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.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was also scheduled to visit India in March, but postponed it after contracting Covid-19. The new date is yet to be decided.
Full diplomatic relations between India and Israel were established in 1992.
Defense, economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries continued to grow in recent years with Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel in 2017.