Navy Chief to begin visit Israel on Monday

Indian Navy chief Sunil Lanba would leave for a four-day visit to Israel on Monday to further consolidate armed forces' cooperation between the two countries, a defence statement said.

During his visit, Admiral Lanba would hold bilateral discussions with Lt. General Gadi Eisenkot, Chief of the General Staff of Israeli Defence Forces, to explore avenues for greater cooperation.

He is also scheduled to meet the Commander-in-Chief of Israeli Navy, Commander of Israeli Air Force and Commander of Israeli Ground Forces, said the Defence Ministry statement.

In addition, the Admiral would visit Haifa Naval Base and other Israeli air force and army establishments.

The Defence Ministry said this visit would further consolidate the armed forces' cooperation.

"Since the renewal of formal diplomatic relations in 1992, defence cooperation has been one of the main pillars of bilateral engagement between the two nations.

"India has been importing critical defence technologies from Israel. In addition, both the armed forces and the Defence Ministry have been cooperating through the medium of staff talks, Joint Working Group and exchange of high-level visits," it said.

--IANS

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