India asks Israel to invest in defence sector

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday called upon Israel to take advantage of India's increased foreign direct investment (FDI) ceiling in the defence sector, and said there was a need for more collaboration between the two countries.

The home minister, who met a five-member Israeli delegation led by Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon, identified cyber security, including cyber forensics and joint development of technology, as the thrust areas for cooperation in the areas of homeland security between the two countries.

"Our cooperation in homeland security is a reflection of our shared security needs," Rajnath Singh said in a statement after the meeting.

The four India-Israel working groups on homeland security are due to hold their first meeting in India next month, the statement said.

"We need to carry this collaboration forward," Rajnath Singh said.

India has raised the FDI ceiling in the defence sector to 49 percent.

Rajnath Singh also recalled his visit to Israel in November last year.

"Israel had expressed its desire to share cutting-edge weapons technologies with India. Both the countries are willing to move forward," he said.