Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz discussed with Indian officials in New Delhi security tension on the Indian-Chinese border, sources in Tel Aviv revealed on Friday.
Gantz held talks with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on providing India with high-defense technologies.
The sources said security tensions between China and India could lead New Delhi to purchase Israeli cyber and border-defense technologies.
Modi is leading the "Make in India" vision to facilitate investment and to cut imports of goods that can be manufactured in the country.
In recent years, Tel Aviv has sought to boost defense ties with New Delhi, especially in the fields of air and missile defense.
On Friday, Gantz met India’s Chief of National Security of India Ajit Doble to discuss deepening security cooperation between their countries.
According to his spokeswoman, Ganz told Doble: “India is an industrial superpower and Israel is a technological superpower — cooperation between our countries will expand the capabilities of both countries to contend with developing challenges.”
He said “India and Israel share similar and common challenges, including border security and fighting terrorism and that by working together, we may increase our capabilities and ensure the security and economic interests of both countries.”
During his meetings with Gantz this week, Modi said Israeli-Indian relations are gaining special importance in light of international developments.
Gantz’ visit to India comes to mark 30 years of security ties between their countries and pledges to deepen cooperation.
Diplomatic sources in Tel Aviv said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid are planning to visit India soon.
Israel is the second largest exporter of arms and equipment to India, after Russia and the United States.
Israel sells India naval ships, artillery rockets, cannons, drones, night vision devices and naval missiles. The value of trade exchange between the two countries is worth more than $10 billion.
