Sushma Swaraj to pay official visit to Israel

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will pay a two-day official visit to Israel beginning on January 17.

She will be accompanied by Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa and other officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

This is the External Affairs Minister's first visit to Israel and comes after the state visit of President Pranab Mukherjee to the nation in October 2015.

India and Israel share close and multifaceted relationship.

During the visit, Swaraj will hold discussions with the Israeli leadership and review entire gamut of bilateral relations between both sides.

The two sides share firm belief in the values of democracy and free market economy.

India and Israel also share close relation in the fields of agriculture, science and technology and education.

Swaraj will also interact with the Indian community in Israel during her visit.

The visit will augment India's bilateral relations with Israel and further strengthen the linkages between the two sides.

India's relations with Israel are part of its engagement with the broader West Asia region and are independent to its relations with any country in the region.