Benjamin Netanyahu will bring along 130 businessmen for trade talks which will also cover defence

Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will come to India on a six-day trip on Sunday. He will visit the country along with 130 businessmen for trade talks which will also cover defence sales, a senior Israeli official said on Wednesday.

Israel's foreign ministry deputy director general for Asia, Gilad Cohen, said the trip was meant to further deepen political, trade and cultural ties.

The Centre announced last week that it would buy 131 surface-to-air missiles from Israel.

The Barak missiles made by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems are to be used for India's first aircraft carrier which is under construction.

But at the same time, Rafael said India had cancelled a separate $500-million deal to purchase Spike anti-tank guided missiles.

"Rafael has received an official statement from the Indian ministry of defence on the cancellation of the Spike missile deal," the company told the Jerusalem Post newspaper last week.

The Post said Rafael executives would be in the trade delegation accompanying Mr Netanyahu.

Mr Cohen declined to answer questions on the subject in his briefing to journalists in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

"It's no secret that the two leaders enjoy very clear chemistry, good and intimate relations," Mr Cohen said.

In addition to the Bollywood event, January 18 sees Mr Netanyahu hosting a business seminar then attending a memorial ceremony for Jewish victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.