Prime Minister Naftali Bennett plans to visit India on April 2 to mark 30 years of relations between Israel and India, his office said Saturday.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Bennett when they met at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow last November.
“Modi is the person who reaccelerated the relations between India and Israel, which have historic importance,” Bennett said. “These are deep ties between two unique cultures… that are based on deep appreciation and significant cooperation.”
“There are many things we can learn from India, and that is what we hope to do,” he added. “Together, we will broaden our cooperation to more areas, from innovation and technology to security and cyber to agriculture and climate.”
The purpose of the trip is to strengthen the strategic relationship between the countries and expand bilateral ties, Bennett’s office said. The leaders will discuss greater cooperation in innovation, economics, research and development, agriculture and more, it said.
Bennett plans to meet with Modi, senior government figures and representatives of the Jewish community.
Modi’s positive approach toward Israel “comes from the heart,” Bennett said at the UN Climate Change Conference. “It’s not a matter of interests but a deep belief that you hold, and we feel it. In the name of all citizens of Israel, we appreciate your new approach.”
Bennett said the hi-tech company he ran 20 years ago was merged with an Indian company, adding that Israelis and Indians worked well together and have much to learn from one another.
“Our goal is to continue the wonderful path you led with my predecessor and bring it to a new level to ensure that both countries work together on innovation, technology, space, security, agriculture, food technology and of course climate technology,” he said.