Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit India soon

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would "soon" head to India, in a visit that will make him the second Israeli premier to travel to the country.

In 2003, then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon visited India.

During his visit to Israel last month, President Pranab Mukherjee had invited Netanyahu to India.

Netanyahu's reference to his proposed India visit came while answering a question at the Centre for American Progress about his plans for Israel.

"There are three things other countries want from Israel... first, Israeli technology, second, Israeli technology and third, Israeli technology. Whether it is India, which I will be soon going to visit, or any other country," Netanyahu said.

He said he plans to make Israel a technological powerhouse.

Netanyahu said Israel has the capacity to shape the future. Countries across the globe are interested in seeking Israeli technology, he said.

"I have diplomats and heads of state coming from Asia, from Africa, from Latin America, and they all want three things. They all want three things.

"I mean, I am talking about small countries, like China or India, where I'm going to be going soon to visit, or Japan or 20 African states that have come and they all say, 'Come back, come back, come back,'" he said.

"Or countries in Latin America. They all want three things. First, Israeli technology. Second, Israeli technology. Third, Israeli technology," he said.

"This is a fundamental change -- a fundamental change that will accelerate in the next 20 years. So Israel, I think in the knowledge century, is uniquely poised to multiply its capacity. Can we get peace with the Palestinians," Netanyahu said.