India, Feb. 26 -- India and Israel on Thursday elevated their "time-tested" ties to a Special Strategic Partnership and agreed to work towards finalising a "mutually beneficial" free trade agreement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's second state visit to the country.

PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to the country, voiced strong support for the Gaza peace initiative, saying humanity must never become a victim of conflict.

Following delegation-level talks between Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, the two countries signed a wide-ranging set of agreements to boost cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace and digital payments.

The prime minister announced the launch of an India-Israel partnership on cr...