The commander of the Indian Air Force arrived in Israel on Saturday to hold talks with top security officials here, said a military statement released Sunday.

Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, who is also Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Indian Armed Forces, was received on Sunday by an honor guard at the nation's military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

The Indian general is currently visiting Israel for the first time in his current post. Browne served from 1997 to 2000 as his country's first defense attache to Israel, where he set up the defense wing in the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv.

During the visit, Browne is expected to meet his Israeli counterparts Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz along with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to discuss military cooperation between the two countries, the statement read.

According to the statement, he will also be touring Israeli air bases and squadrons, where he will be briefed on operational procedures.