President Pranab Mukherjee arrives on a "milestone" visit to Israel

JERUSALEM: Marking a "political milestone" in the growing relationship between India and Israel, President Pranab Mukherjee arrived here today on a 3-day state visit, the first by an Indian Head of State.

Crossing over from Palestine after an overnight visit there, the Indian leader arrived in Israel where he has a packed schedule including an address tomorrow to Israel's parliament, Knesset, a rare honor for a visiting dignitary.

A banquet by President Reuven Rivlin and a lunch with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu besides conferment of an honorary degree by Hebrew University of Jerusalem are among the highlights of Mukherjee's schedule.

Describing Mukherjee's visit as a "historic political milestone", Rivlin told PTI that it reflected the continued strengthening of the relations between the two countries.

The visit would serve to deepen bilateral friendship in economic, scientific, medical, agricultural and other fields, the Israeli President said.