Defence, trade and Hexagon alliance: What to expect during PM Modi's high-stakes Israel visit

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel on February 25-26 at the invitation of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.This will be PM Modi’s second visit to the Jew nation. In 2017, he became the first Indian prime minister to travel to the country. During that visit, the relationship between the two countries was elevated to a strategic partnership. Netanyahu visited India in January 2018. During the upcoming visit, PM Modi will hold delegation-level talks with Netanyahu. He is also scheduled to meet Israeli president Isaac Herzog and address the Knesset (Israel's parliament). Netanyahu will also host a private dinner for him. An innovation event in Jerusalem and a joint visit to Yad Vashem- the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, are also part of the itinerary.Defence and security cooperation is expected to be a key part of the discussions. Israel is a major supplier of military platforms and weapon systems to India. Both sides are likely to review ongoing cooperation and explore further collaboration.India is developing an indigenous air defence shield called 'Sudarshan chakra' and may explore the possibility of incorporating certain elements from Israel’s Iron dome system, according to news agency PTI.Economic engagement is also expected to feature prominently. During commerce minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Israel in November, the terms of reference for launching free trade agreement negotiations were signed. In September, both countries signed a bilateral investment agreement to expand economic cooperation.The two leaders will also review progress in science and technology, innovation, agriculture, water management, trade and people-to-people exchanges, the MEA said in a statement.The leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and global developments, including the situation in Gaza and wider tensions in West Asia.Ahead of the visit, Netanyahu described the trip as "historic” and referred to PM Modi as a “dear friend”. He outlined a broader diplomatic plan to build a “hexagon” of alliances involving India, Arab nations, African countries and Mediterranean states. According to him, the aim is to strengthen coordination among like-minded countries and counter radical axes in the region.