India and Israel's relations will be upgraded to a "special strategic partnership" during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, marking a "significant leap ahead" similar to Jerusalem's ties with countries such as the US and Germany, sources said here Tuesday. Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Israel beginning Wednesday to shore up bilateral defence and trade cooperation. It will be Modi's second visit to Israel in nine years. The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of strategic partnership during Modi's first visit to that country in July 2017. The upgraded "special strategic partnership" agreement will allow for a further developed stage of ties that will lead to joint development of advanced defence systems and an understanding to stand by each other in times of need. "The two countries have been reliable partners over the years and it has been proven in hours of crises. This is only being formally recognised during PM Modi's visit", sources told PTI. Modi w