EAM Sushma Swaraj to kick off Israel tour today

Jerusalem: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will kick off her Israel tour with wreath laying at Yad Vashem, a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, on Monday.

"She will call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a dialogue, followed by a meeting with President Reuven Rivlin," said External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

During the visit EAM will hold discussions with the Israeli leadership and review entire gamut of the India-Israel bilateral relations. India and Israel share close and multifaceted relationship.

She will also interact with the Indian community in Israel.

"India's relations with Israel are part of its engagement with the broader West Asia region and are independent to its relations with any country in the region. The visit will augment India's bilateral relations with Israel and further strengthen the linkages between the two sides," said an MEA statement.

During her two-day visit (January17-18), Swaraj will be accompanied by Secretary (East) Anil Wadhwa and other MEA officials.

This is the first visit of Swaraj to Israel, which comes after the State visit of President Pranab Mukherjee to Israel in October.