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Israel has described India as "a major factor in Asia" and an important partner in various fields, including trade and security.
The views were expressed by Israeli President Moshe Katsav, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and other leaders, when outgoing Indian ambassador Rajan Mathai called on them.
The two countries have greatly enhanced cooperation in various fields such as defence, trade and culture, and the ties were expected to grow stronger in the near future, President Katsav told Mathai.
Mathai, who would be taking over as Indian Ambassador to Qatar, said the two countries had witnessed increasing cooperation over the years, with bilateral trade shooting up to $1.1 billion last year.
A series of high-profile visits by leaders from across the Indian political spectrum has further strengthened the bonds between two countries, Mathai said.
Union Home Minister L K Advani and External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh visited Israel last year, providing a major thrust to expansion of relations in various fields, including counter-terrorism and security cooperation.
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptullah and Minister for State for Commerce Raman Singh were also in Israel last year, as were the chiefs of the army, air force and navy.
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