Israeli FM in India for talks

Shalom will also meet the Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam and the Indian external affairs and defence ministers, a spokesperson of the Israeli Embassy in Delhi told BBC.

Shalom's trip follows Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's high-profile visit to India in October last year.

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India and Israel's bilateral relationship has blossomed since the two countries opened diplomatic ties in 1992.

Shalom, who arrived in the western Indian city of Mumbai today, will meet local businessmen and members of the 5000-strong Jewish community there.

In his meetings with the Indian leaders in Delhi on Tuesday and Wednesday, Shalom will discuss strengthening relationship between the two countries.

He is also expected to talk about increasing cooperation in security, political and economies issues.

Israel is now India's largest supplier of defence materials, apart from Russia.

The Reuters news agency, quoting an unnamed Israeli defence industry executive, says that Israel is likely to finalise a $1.1 bn deal to sell three sophisticated Phalcon early-warning radar systems to Delhi.

The deal is the expected to be signed within a month, according to Reuters.

Defence analysts say the Phalcon system will give India a greater edge in conventional weaponry over its regional rivals, China and Pakistan.

The Phalcon system acts as the hub of a communications system to spot enemy planes and missiles within a range of hundreds of miles.

Last August, the United States lifted its objections to the sale of the Phalcon to India - a move criticised by Pakistan.