India's Modi to address Israel's Knesset during Israel visit

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Israel for a two-day visit that both countries have cast as a chance to deepen relations.

Modi, became the first prime minister in India's history to visit Israel in 2017, during which he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a barefoot stroll on a beach in the northern port city of Haifa.

Both still in power nearly nine years later, the two leaders, who describe one another as friends, are expected to hold talks on artificial intelligence as well as defence.

An Israeli government official said the visit would "pave the way for new partnerships and collaborations across many fields". Bilateral ties were on the cusp of a significant upgrade, an Israeli foreign ministry official said.

Modi is expected to deliver remarks to Israel's Knesset, or parliament, and lay a wreath at Yad Vashem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial.

The Israeli foreign ministry official said discussions with a "regional aspect" would likely take place during the visit.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting this week, Netanyahu described India as being part of a future "axis" of like-minded nations.

"(Our) cooperation can yield great results and, of course, ensure our resilience and our future," Netanyahu said.