Smart city Tel Aviv has joined hands with Thane to replicate in the Maharashtrian city the civic transformation the Israeli capital underwent using digital technologies.

Isareli Ambassador Daniel Carmon said this after inaugurating his country's pavilion at the 3rd Smart Cities India 2017 Expo at the Pragati Maidan here.

When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel, the envoy just said, "It will take place very shortly."

Talking about India-Israel cooperation, he said 10 companies were being showcased at the pavillion.

"We are offering to India what we are capable of doing.

The two countries already have cooperation in defence, security and agriculture.

"And, now water management technologies are being showcased here. A few days ago, Tel Aviv municipality and Thane municipal corporation joined hands as part of India's 'Smart City' initiative," Carmon said.

Thane city in Maharashtra has a population fo 18.18 lakh.

As part of the cooperation, the two civic bodies, alongside an Israeli private technology major with an Indian partner, will work on replicating the 'DigiTel Aviv' project, as 'DigiThane', a senior official of the Tel Aviv Municipality told PTI.

The Israeli ambassador said the smart city cooperation is the result of visit of a delegation led by the Maharashtra chief minister in 2015.

Carmon said, "we are keen on cooperating in several areas and earlier in the day a meeting of all stakeholders, from both the countries, was held to discuss challenges and solutions related to water, from recycling to desalination, among other things.

"Later this summer, we are also going to have an exposition on Israel. And, we invite India to be part of it," he said.

"The bilateral cooperation is the manifestation of the interest shown by Indian government and Indian people to meet new challenges and find solutions," he added.