India close to $3 billion arms deal with Israel

India is nearing final approval to buy $3 billion worth of arms from Israel.

The deal would make Israel one of the top-three arms suppliers to the world’s second-most populous country, according to the Times of India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who plans to visit Israel later this year, is waiting for a cabinet committee to approve the deal.

Under the deal’s terms, Israe; and India would jointly develop a surface-to-air missile system for the Indian Army. Israel would also sell India lasers and bunker-busting bombs.

Since Modi was elected in 2014, relations between the two countries have warmed. Netanyahu and Modi have met and spoken multiple times, and Indian President Pranab Mukherjee visited Israel last year.