India, Israel to focus on technology in science, industry, agriculture: MEA

India and Israel would like the new technology to be applied more effectively in science, technology and agriculture sectors, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday.

MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) and Foreign Secretary-designate Vijay K. Gokhale said, "The Prime Ministers of India and Israel spoke on the use of technology in agriculture. Our Prime Minister, (Narendra) Modi stressed on the use of technology in the agricultural sector. The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, spoke about the technology used in agriculture such as - how it reaches the farmers, how it improves productivity and yield of the fields through water and fertilisers. Both the countries are working on this proposal."

"We want to modernise our science and technology sectors with the help of technology, through Israel's expertise. The fund that was announced by both the Prime Ministers at Tel Aviv, at the time of Prime Minister Modi's visit, has now been operationalised. The two countries have proposed 20 US million dollars. We have sent calls for proposals", added Gokhale.

"In the industrial sector, water can be treated effectively with the help of technology, when industries discharge waste in the water bodies. We would also like to implement the same here", said Gokhale.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he has invited Israeli defense companies to work and invest in India.

He also said that India and Israel would strengthen existing pillars of cooperation in areas that touch the lives of peoples in both the countries, which include agriculture, science and technology and security.

The two sides today also signed nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors, including cybersecurity, energy and medicine.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is on a six-day visit to India. He will visit Agra, Gujarat and Mumbai during his stay.