Talks between India and Israel focused on expanding bilateral ties: MEA

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu was focused on strengthening ties between both the nations after there has been change in the government.

Prime Minister Modi is on five-day visit to the United States, aiming to woo corporate titans and crown a burst of investment-focused diplomacy. He landed in the country on September 26.

Netanyahu had arrived in New York to attend United Nations General Assembly, where Narendra Modi had also addressed a session.

Prime Minister Modi and Netanyahu discussed ways to step up bilateral relations in a range of areas like defence and trade ties along with issues from cooperation in agriculture to cooperation on anti-terror technology and water management.

Akbaruddin said that both the prime ministers are keen to take their relationship forward.

"India and Israel have a very robust relationship. Our economic ties have been growing rapidly. We have currently a trade of approximately six billion dollars and growing very rapidly. The discussions were on how to continue to expand these ties in view of the change in government in India," said Akbaruddin.

He also confirmed that Netanyahu had invited Narendra Modi to Israel.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier visited Israel as the Chief Minister of India's western province of Gujarat.

Earlier in the day, Narendra Modi addressed a crowd of 18,000 Indian-Americans at the world's most famous arena Madison Square Garden in New York.

Akbaruddin added there was great interest shown from Israel's side to invest in the defence sector and also Modi had said he would like Israel to work with India in urban development.

"There was a discussion in terms of defence ties the prime minister explained that under his new vision, 'Make in India' was a priority for him. He also explained him that right now in the defence sector, Israel or any foreign company can invest up to 49 percent and prime minister made a pitch for investments from everywhere including Israel," he added.

Prime Minister Modi also met US Congress member Tulsi Gabbardwho is apparently a strong supporter of Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, Akbaruddin mentioned Prime Minister Modi's meeting with Gabbard focussed on improving mutual cooperation.

"The prime minister has invited her to come to India at a time when we can work out mutually convenient. She also discussed her approach towards issues of defence as well as international cooperation in terms of working against common threats that are posed towards through terror," he said.

Gabbard is the first practicing Hindu American in the Congress who took her oath on the Bhagwad Gita (one of the holy books of Hinduism) and had spoken to Modi and congratulated him after he won the parliamentary elections in May.

Gabbard has also been involved in the planning of Modi's visit to the U.S.

Prime Minister Modi will now head to Washington for his first meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama. The U.S. leader is keen to see a strategic relationship he has called "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century" live up to its potential.

Narendra Modi will meet the U.S. political elite, including leaders of Congress and former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is tipped for a White House run in 2016.