New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on September 10 accepted "with pleasure" the invitation extended by his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon to visit that country.

"Prime Minister Sharon invited Prime Minister Vajpayee to visit Israel. Vajpayee accepted this invitation with pleasure," an 18-point joint statement issued at the conclusion of Sharon's visit said.

Extending the invitation, Sharon, who curtailed his visit in the wake of twin suicide attacks in Israel, said he (Vajpayee) would be "among friends" in his country.

The invitation was spontaneously accepted by Vajpayee, a top official in the Israeli delegation said.

Expressing satisfaction over the outcome of the talks Sharon had with Indian leaders, the official said the landmark visit would result in upgradation of bilateral relations to new heights.

PTI