Netanyahu and Modi praise 'new era' in India -Israel ties Published duration 15 January 2018

image copyright Getty Images image caption Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Delhi

India and Israel have hailed the "dawn of a new era" in their relations after signing key deals in defence, agriculture and aviation sectors.

The deals were announced after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Delhi on Monday.

Mr Modi said he wanted Israeli defence companies to invest in India.

He arrived in Delhi on Sunday for a six-day visit along with a 130-member business delegation.

The two countries also signed deals where they agreed to cooperate in areas including cyber-defence, security and science.

Mr Modi said he wanted the two countries to "scale up" their partnership.

Mr Netanyahu said the two nations had great potential to work together to improve the lives of their citizens.

"Indians and Israelis remember too well the savagery of the horrific terrorist attacks. We fight back, we never give in," he said.

He was saved by his Indian nanny, Sandra Samuel, who was treated as a heroine in Israel where she settled with the boy after the attack.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Mr Modi welcomed Mr Netanyahu at the President's House in Delhi on Monday

The two leaders were careful to avoid comment on disagreements between the two nations.

The leaders also did not comment on India's decision to cancel a $500mn anti-tank missiles deal with Israel.

Good optics

India and Israel have had diplomatic relations for 25 years.

In the past however, the relationship has always been a balancing act given India's sizeable Muslim population and the country's dependence on oil imports from Arab countries and Iran.

But correspondents say that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Modi's statements have been designed to showcase the two countries' growing partnership.

And defence co-operation appears to be at the heart of this.