Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for his first visit to India, with the aim of expanding defense, trade and energy ties.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Netanyahu at Palam Airport in New Delhi. Netanyahu's office put out an announcement saying that Modi's greeting was a "surprise welcome" because a cabinet minister had been scheduled to attend instead.
"I very much appreciate the gesture," Netanyahu said.
The two leaders then departed for a ceremony at New Delhi's Teen Murti square, a memorial for the Indian soldiers killed fighting to liberate Haifa from Ottoman forces in World War I. At the ceremony, the memorial was officially renamed the Teen-Murti Haifa Chowk/
The gesture "underscores the special link and the common history between Israel and India," Netanyahu said.
During the six-day stay, the two countries are expected to sign collaboration agreements in the fields of cybersecurity, energy, space, and film production, India's External Affairs Ministry said. They are also expected to review progress on deals in the fields of technology, water and agriculture that were signed during Modi's historic visit to Israel last year, the first by an Indian prime minister to Israel.
Before leaving for India, Netanyahu told reporters in Israel that the trip "serves our security, economic, trade and tourism interests, as well as many other areas. We are strengthening ties between Israel and this important global power."
The visit marks 25 years since India and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1992. It also comes weeks after India voted in favor of the U.N. resolution denouncing President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon downplayed India's vote.
"I think that the relationship is much stronger than one vote at the U.N.," he said.
Netanyahu said, "I don't think one vote affects the general trend. Naturally, we are disappointed, but I think this visit is indicative of ties between us moving forward on so many fronts – not just in terms of politics, but also in terms of technology, security, tourism and everything.
"At the individual citizen level, the fact that one can grow produce better, that there is better and cleaner water, better energy, cleaner air. These are the things that make a difference in people's lives, and I think our partnership promotes that. I think that we will ultimately see this reflected in all the votes at the U.N."
Bilateral trade between India and Israel has skyrocketed from $200 million in 1992 to $4.16 billion in 2016. However, that remains far below Israel's nearly $40 billion in annual trade with its largest partners, the United States and the European Union.
Still, there are irritants in the growing relationship, including India's cancellation of a $500 million anti-tank missile deal with Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It was not clear why India scrapped the deal before the contract was signed.
Netanyahu expressed hope India would ultimately go through with the deal.
In an interview with a local TV station, Netanyahu said he hoped his visit would help "resolve the issue," adding, "Our defense ties [with India] are quite significant and encompass many things. I think the key word is 'defense.' We want to defend ourselves. We are not an aggressive nation, but we are committed to ensuring that no can act as an aggressor toward us."
During the Cold War, India did not have open relations with Israel, leaning heavily in favor of the Palestinians. But over the past 25 years, the two countries have developed close ties.
Carmon said that Israeli-India ties would withstand any troubles.
"The relationship is an all-weather relationship," he told reporters, adding it is "so strong and so important to both countries that our feeling is that nothing can reverse it."
He said Netanyahu was bringing with him 130 businesspeople, "which reflects the enthusiasm in Israel to do more business with India."
On Monday, Netanyahu was set to hold formal discussions with Modi and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, as well as attend the India-Israel CEO Forum and Raisina Dialogue, an international geopolitical conference.
Netanyahu was also expected to visit the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi and, along with members of his accompanying delegation, take part in economic events.
In Mumbai, Netanyahu will meet with Jewish community leaders, Indian business leaders and representatives of the Bollywood film industry.
While in Mumbai, Netanyahu is also scheduled to take part in a memorial ceremony for the victims of the 2008 terrorist attack at the Taj Palace and Tower Hotel and a local Chabad center. Also set to take part in the memorial ceremony is Moishe Holzberg, now 12, who was a toddler when his parents, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holzberg, were killed in the attack.
Netanyahu will also visit Modi's home state of Gujarat, in western India.
