Mumbai:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be travelling to Israel to complete the joint defense cooperation process. Dates are yet to be finalised for Modi's visit which will take place on mutually convenient dates this year itself. Modi will be the first Prime Minister of India to visit Israel. 

External Affairs Minister Sushma  Swaraj described that Israel  is a friendly country. India has never "let down" the Palestinian cause and it will continue to support it. It was also asked whether Modi will visit Iran but there was nothing finalized yet about it but he will be visiting Turkey to attend G-20 Summit shortly this year. Swaraj also informed that she will travel to Iran to attend the NAM Summit this year.

"As far as my visit is concerned, it will take place this year. I will visit Israel, Palestine and Jordan. As far as Prime Minister's visit is concerned, he will travel to Israel. No dates have been finalized. It will take place as per mutually convenient dates," she said replying to a question at a press conference. At the same time, she asserted, "There was no change in India's policy towards Palestine."

Modi will be visiting five Central Asian countries including Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan when he travels to Russia to attend the BRICS Summit.

India has a diplomatic relationship with Israel since 1992. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon visited India in 2003. He is credited with transforming mutual relations from diminutive defense and trade cooperation to the strategies of today.