Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday held a telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart Lt Gen Benjamin Gantz during which India's standoff with China in eastern Ladakh figured prominently, government sources said.
The main focus of the talks was speedy implementation of ongoing defence procurement programmes as well as further expansion of overall defence and security ties between the two countries, they said.
"India's standoff with China in eastern Ladakh figured prominently when the two Defence Ministers delved into the evolving regional security scenario," the sources told news agency Press Trust of India.
They said issues relating to procurement of various weapons and ammunition by India from Israel on a fast-track mode was discussed during the conversation.
Mr Singh apprised Lt Gen Gantz about major reforms initiated by India in the defence manufacturing sector and called for greater participation of Israeli defence firms in joint development of weapons and military hardware with Indian companies, the sources told news agency PTI.
India has been the largest buyer of Israel's military hardware and the latter has been supplying various weapon systems, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles over the last few years but the deals have largely remained behind the curtains due to national security reasons.
In a statement, the Defence Ministry said Mr Singh and Lt Gen Gantz expressed satisfaction at the progress of strategic cooperation between the two countries and discussed possibilities of further strengthening the defence engagements.
"They also expressed satisfaction at the ongoing collaboration in research and development in fighting pandemic COVID-19 which will not only benefit the two countries but also aid the larger humanitarian cause," it said.
The Defence Ministry said Rajnath Singh invited greater participation of Israeli defence companies under new liberalised foreign direct investment (FDI) regime in defence manufacturing.
"The two ministers exchanged views on regional developments. Defence Minister of Israel responded positively to an invitation from Singh to visit India at the earliest opportunity," it said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Rajnath Singh Chairs Key Security Meet Over Rising Terror Attacks In J&K Rahul Gandhi, Rajnath Singh Face Off In Lok Sabha Over Agnipath Scheme Implement Central Schemes "In Letter And Spirit", BJP Chief Ministers Told Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Two Sisters Returning From Court Run Over By Car In UP: Cops India Sends 1,400 kg Anti-Cancer Drugs To Syria In Humanitarian Assistance Police Arrest Suspect In Bihar Dalit Girl Kidnapping, Murder Case Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.