Saturday, 2 February, 2019 – 12:00 Tel Aviv – Asharq Al-Awsat – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit New Delhi next week for talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on huge arms deals worth more than 3.5 billion dollars. The deals include India’s purchase of two more “Phalcon” airborne warning and control system (AWAC) worth 800 million dollars and Spike anti-tank guided missiles worth 500 million dollars.Israel is also expected to sell India radars, drones and unmanned fighter jets, informed political sources in Tel Aviv said.The offices of Netanyahu and Modi are in close contact to agree on the details of the Israeli PM’s visit.
Israeli officials, including an adviser to Netanyahu, have conducted several visits to India in the past week to set the stage for the deals he is expected to strike with his Indian counterpart. Israeli military industries are highly enthusiastic about the planned deals, which are expected to strengthen relations between the two countries.
But the Israeli opposition has huge reservations on Netanyahu’s trip, saying he is seeking to consolidate his position ahead of the elections. More via www.mesop.de