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Israeli PM expected to visit India
Why is it in news?
- Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to travel to India in September just days before he faces elections.
More in news
- India-Israel relations:(1) India-Israel relations have been growing rapidly in the last few years.(2) Mr. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel in 2017, a visit Mr. Netanyahu returned in January 2018, which marked 25 years since the establishment of full diplomatic relations.
- February visit: Mr. Netanyahu’s February visit was cancelled due to “scheduling difficulties”, especially since both Israel and India were heading into election season at the time.
- Bilateral talks focus:(1) Bilateral talks on defence issues have focused on the emergency procurement of ‘Spike’ anti-tank missiles and precision-guided munitions that were used during the Balakot strikes by the Indian Air Force.(2) The two sides are also discussing a long-pending proposal to buy 2 Phalcon AWACS (warning systems) for more than a billion dollars.
- Timing of the visit:(1) Mr. Netanyahu’s visit will also come amidst rising U.S.-Iran tensions.(2) He is expected to make a case for India to align itself less with Tehran to join Israel and the U.S. in putting pressure on the regime there.
Source
The Hindu