India, Israel

At the delegation level talks, two leaders noted the readiness of companies to enter into joint ventures with Indian companies in the defence sector.

“They (the two PMs) consider it important to set the direction for developing more business models and partnerships for the joint ventures and joint manufacturing, including transfer of technology as well as joint research and development in defence and security fields,” the statement said.

Israel is one of India’s biggest arms supplier, selling equipment worth $1 billion every year but days before the arrival of the Israeli leader New Delhi scrapped a $500-million deal to buy 8,000 antitank guided missiles from Israel’s state-owned defence contractor Rafael. “We are venturing into less explored areas of cooperation such as oil and gas, cyber security, films and start-ups,” Modi said.

The others agreements included space cooperation and amendments to an air transport pact. The two leaders hailed decision of the ministries of science and technology to start nine research and development projects in the areas of big data in health care and security in cyber space, the statement said.

To build a strong network between the next generation of women scientists and technologists, an India-Israel Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Symposium is planned for October in India.

Remembering the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Netanyahu said both India and Israel would fight terrorism together.

He will be visiting the Chabad House in Mumbai that was attacked during the three-day siege.