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| Narendra Modi to become first Indian PM to visit Israel | Narendra Modi to become first Indian PM to visit Israel |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Narendra Modi is to become the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel, India's foreign minister has said. | Narendra Modi is to become the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel, India's foreign minister has said. |
| The dates of Mr Modi's visit are being "worked out", Sushma Swaraj said. | The dates of Mr Modi's visit are being "worked out", Sushma Swaraj said. |
| Reports say Mr Modi's landmark visit could happen this year after an Indian delegation's visit to Israel in July. | Reports say Mr Modi's landmark visit could happen this year after an Indian delegation's visit to Israel in July. |
| The two countries have shared 23 years of diplomatic relations and are working together on counter-terrorism, defence, agriculture and the water and energy sectors. | The two countries have shared 23 years of diplomatic relations and are working together on counter-terrorism, defence, agriculture and the water and energy sectors. |
| But no Indian prime minister or president has ever visited Israel. | But no Indian prime minister or president has ever visited Israel. |
| Ms Swaraj told reporters on Sunday that she will be travelling to Israel, Palestinian territories and Jordan later this year. | Ms Swaraj told reporters on Sunday that she will be travelling to Israel, Palestinian territories and Jordan later this year. |
| "As far as prime minister's visit is concerned, he will travel to Israel. No dates have been finalised. It will take place as per mutually convenient dates," she said. | |
| The Israeli ambassador to India, Daniel Carmon, welcomed the announcement. | |
| "High level visits between both countries... are a natural ingredient of tightening relationship between Israel and India," Mr Carmon was quoted as saying by The Hindu newspaper. | "High level visits between both countries... are a natural ingredient of tightening relationship between Israel and India," Mr Carmon was quoted as saying by The Hindu newspaper. |
| In 2000, Jaswant Singh of the then BJP-led ruling government became the first Indian foreign minister to visit Israel. Ariel Sharon was the first Israeli premier to visit India in 2003. | In 2000, Jaswant Singh of the then BJP-led ruling government became the first Indian foreign minister to visit Israel. Ariel Sharon was the first Israeli premier to visit India in 2003. |
| Correspondents say trade between the two countries has grown substantially - from $200m (£130m) in 1992 to about $4.39bn in 2013. | |
| In 2013, India was Israel's 10th largest trade partner and its third largest trade partner in Asia after China and Hong Kong. Israel has also emerged as a major defence supplier to Delhi. |