Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, congratulating his Israeli counterpart on his return to the premiership for a record sixth time following November’s parliamentary elections.

In a post on Twitter, Modi wrote that he was “thrilled” to have “another opportunity to advance the joint India-Israel strategic partnership”.

An invitation to visit India “at an early date” has been extended to Netanyahu, according to a statement from Modi’s office, and the two leaders “agreed to meet soon”, the Prime Minister’s office said.

The Prime Minister’s Office described the telephone conversation between the two leaders as “warm and kind”.

Earlier on Wednesday, Netanyahu spoke to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The two sides agreed to continue dialogue in order to enhance cooperation between Israel and the Netherlands in various fields.

Last year, Israel and India celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations. Bilateral trade has increased during this period, from $200 million (mostly diamonds) in 1992 to more than $7.86 billion (excluding defence) in 2021-22, according to data from Israel’s General Directorate of Foreign Affairs, trade information and statistics . The two countries are currently working on a free trade agreement.

Infrastructure cooperation has also increased. Evidenced by the recent purchase of Haifa port, in northern Israel, by a consortium led by the Indian group Adani. Purchase, for the amount $1.15 billion, created with local logistics company Gadot.