Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in New York in September 2014. Photo: Avi Ohayon / GPO via Flickr.

JNS.org – The Israeli cabinet was set to approve on Sunday a number of measures that deepen ties with India, ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to the Jewish state on July 5-6.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at his weekly cabinet meeting, “In the 70 years of [Israel’s] existence, no Indian prime minister has ever visited and this is a further expression of the state of Israel’s military, economic and diplomatic strength….Ties between Israel and India are on a constant upswing.”

The new measures will increase Israel’s exports to India, strengthen collaboration in water and agriculture technology, establish a joint fund for research and innovation and boost Indian tourism to Israel.

In 2016, trade between Israel and India amounted to $4.2 billion, with $1.8 billion in imports from India to Israel and $2.4 billion in exports from Israel to India, according to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics.

Last week, hundreds of Israelis marked the 25th anniversary of Israel-India diplomatic relations on the 3rd International Yoga Day in Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square. Modi delivered greetings to the event in a video message.