Israeli Navy chief in India

Israeli Navy chief Vice Admiral Ram Rutberg arrived here on Monday on a four-day official visit to India and held talks with the three service chiefs and other officials.

In a move towards strengthening defence ties between India and Israel, the talks between India Navy chief Admiral R.K. Dhowan and Vice Admiral Rutberg explored avenues for greater cooperation between the two navies, officials said.

Vice Admiral Rutberg also met Indian Army chief General Dalbir Singh and Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, along with officials from the defence ministry.

The Israeli Navy chief will be in India till August 27.

An official statement said Vice Admiral Rutberg is also scheduled to travel to Mumbai and Kochi to visit various ships and shore establishments in the headquarters of the Western and Southern Naval Commands, respectively.

"The visit by Vice Admiral Ram Rutberg will further consolidate Indian Navy-Israeli Navy cooperation especially with respect to India acquiring high end technology through the recently launched 'Make in India' initiative," the statement said.

"Both the countries can benefit and reap strategic advantages through such cooperation."

Bilateral relations date back to September 1950, when India recognised the formation of Israel.

Since the upgradation of relations in 1992, defence cooperation has been one of the main pillars of bilateral engagement.

India imports critical defence technologies from Israel. In addition, there are regular exchanges between the armed forces and defence personnel.