Israeli President's visit — the first by an Israeli President in nearly 20 years — will also prepare ground for much-awaited travel of Modi to Tel Aviv. The last Israeli President to visit India was Ezer Weizman in January 1997.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin arrived here on Monday on an eight-day visit. He is accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen, academics and defence honchos. While nine MoUs on education tie-ups have been lined up, there will be discussions on areas of cooperation in agriculture and water. Confirming that Israel has plans for fresh joint ventures and technology transfer in developing weapons systems and also becoming first country to implement Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' initiative in this sector, Israeli envoy Daniel Carmon, however, refused to give more information.
Israeli President's visit — the first by an Israeli President in nearly 20 years — will also prepare ground for much-awaited travel of Modi to Tel Aviv. The last Israeli President to visit India was Ezer Weizman in January 1997.
Asked about Modi's proposed visit to Israel, he said it will be a very important trip. It was being decided by the two governments when it will happen, the envoy said. Even though the two countries don't agree on many issues related to West Asia, particularly on Palestine, the Israeli President said, "Friends may not always see eye to eye on everything, and as friends we can agree to disagree with respect and understanding."
India is Israel's largest buyer of military hardware and the latter has been supplying various weapons systems, missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles over the last few years. But the transactions have largely remained behind the curtains. In non-defence sector, the trade between the two countries has increased from $200 million (Rs 1358 crore) in 1992, when they set up full diplomatic relations, to $6 billion (Rs 40731 crore) a year in 2015.
Rivlin will travel to Agra, Karnal, and Chandigarh, besides touching Mumbai on the last day of his visit to pay tributes to the victims of 26/11 terrorist attack. In Agra, he will take a look at an adjacent Israeli water treatment plant called "Aqwise". In Karnal, he will visit the Centre of Excellence in Agriculture set up with Israeli assistance. He will also travel to Chandigarh, along with President Mukherjee to jointly inaugurate Agro Tech 2016.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Reuven Rivlin")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}