Israel is keen to strengthen its relations with India and share its resources in agriculture, water and medical technologies, a senior authority in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Eli Belotsercovsky, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Director of Economic Relations with India & China, said on Tuesday that India was a very important partner to Israel in the field of trade as well as in general.

Speaking to media persons, in Bangalore, Belotsercovsky said, "India is a very important partner to us. Israel can contribute in sharing its resources when it comes to agriculture technology, water technology and medical technology."

Israel is setting up three centres of excellence in Karnataka, to provide a boost to agriculture. The centres of excellence, planned to be set up in Kolar, Belgaum and Bagalkot, will focus on cultivation of a variety of vegetables and fruits like mango and pomegranate.

According to the officials from the Bangalore-based Consulate General of Israel, Karnataka government has already allotted land for the three centres of excellence.

Previously, Israel had set up a centre for excellence in agriculture in the northern state of Haryana. The two countries are also eager to team up to boost water conservation in India. Currently, Israel is helping India in a project to clean the Yamuna River.

In addition, Israel has been negotiating free trade agreement with India. Diplomatic relations between the two countries started just around two decades back in 1992.