New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Friday congratulated Reuven Rivlin on his election as the president of Israel and sought "further strengthening" of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade and economy, security, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
In a message to Rivlin, Mukherjee said: "On behalf of the government and the people of India, I extend my heartiest felicitations to you on your victory in the election to the high office of the President of the State of Israel."
"In recent years the relationship between India and Israel has deepened in diverse areas of mutual interest. We attach priority to our relations with Israel and seek a further strengthening of our mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade and economy, security, culture and people-to-people exchanges," he said.
Acknowledging that both the countries were two of the leading "knowledge economies" of the world, Mukherjee said India looked forward to working towards building a "strong hi-tech partnership based on science, research and innovation".
"I take this opportunity to convey to you our best wishes for the progress and prosperity of the people of Israel."