IDF chief set to visit India to strengthen military ties
During visit, which is part of a five-day Asia tour, Ashkenazi will meet with government officials and his Indian counterpart.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news IDFThe Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, was set to arrive in India on Sunday for the first official visit to the country by an Israeli military chief.
"The visit to India is part of the process of strengthening the ties between Israel and India, and the nations' militaries," the army said in a statement.
During the visit, which is part of a five-day tour of southeast Asia, Ashkenazi will meet with government officials and his Indian counterpart, General Deepak Kapoor, who visited Israel last month.
The two countries already have extensive defense contacts; in September, an Israeli official said that Israel had signed a $1.1 billion contract to supply an upgraded tactical air defense system to India, with delivery expected by 2017.
According to the army, the IDF chief will also meet with the Indian National Security advisor, the commander of the Indian Air Force, and the commander of the Indian Navy. At the end of the visit, Ashkenazi will meet the Indian OC Southern Command and combat command officers.
An honor guard will welcome the IDF chief at the Indian military headquarters in New Delhi, the army said.
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Both countries are so similar: They have been successful democracies surrounded by states which are autocratic or have been mostly so. Both have neighbors hell bent on destroying them. Both have histories of winning wars and then giving up territories. Its a shame we have waited so long to come closer as nations and as civilizations.
Ever since he went to India , there is no press release about his visit and meetings , mostly everything is kept covert like all the other deals done in past..
It is good to see both armed forces working togrther, the relationships will improve for better and GOD BLESS THESE TWO GREAT NATIONS.
#1 does that mean there will be more like Mombai.
When a country like India needs to protect herself from muslim fundementalists and extremists from within and on her borders it only makes sense that she will turn to Israel to work together in partnership for the improved defense of both countries.
india, the land of the great freedom fighter mahatma ghandi, is making a huge strategic mistake by allying itself with a well known racist and militaristic apartheid state. the indian government should be ashamed of themselves and i am sure ghandi is rolling in his grave right now!