The Hindu : Israel seeks `reciprocity' in ties

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 11, 2003

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Israel seeks `reciprocity' in ties

By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI Sept. 10. As it laid the foundations for a solid partnership with India, Israel today underlined the importance of give and take in bilateral relations. While meeting India's needs in defence and advanced technology sectors, Israel expects greater sensitivity to its security concerns in New Delhi. The message from the Israeli side is clear — reciprocity must be the basis of bilateral relations.

Well-placed sources in the visiting Israeli delegation led by the Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, said they raised specific questions in two areas — India's continued voting against Israel at the United Nations and the nature of New Delhi's expanding relations with Teheran. The sources said they were "satisfied" with the Indian response.

The Israeli sources acknowledge "the change in the Indian attitude at the United Nations in recent years". "India no longer initiates anti-Israeli resolutions at the U.N.", they said. Traditionally, India had voted against Israel as a matter of routine. As the two nations bond together, Israel hopes there will be a perceptible shift in the Indian attitude at various multilateral forums.

The divergence of approach between India and Israel towards Iran is substantive. For India, Iran is a strategic partner while Tel Aviv sees Teheran as a "centre of international terrorism" and intractably hostile to Israel. Tel Aviv wants to make sure that sensitive technologies it transfers to New Delhi would not end up in the hands of Teheran. Israeli sources say they are satisfied with the Indian assurances on this count.

The Israeli delegation is absolutely pleased at the warm welcome it has received in New Delhi. It is gratified that New Delhi has taken a decision to intensify ties with Israel without linking them to India's relations with the Arab world.

Summing up the outcome of the first-ever visit to India by an Israeli Prime Minister to India, the sources said, "We feel there is a very clear desire here to strengthen and deepen relations between the two countries".

Following the decisions taken in the last two days, the sources said, the Indo-Israeli relationship will be "upgraded and given new content". They suggest that Mr. Sharon will now take "personal charge" of the ties with India.

On terrorism, the Israeli sources denied there was any difference of perception with India. "Terror is terror, whether in India or Israel". The two sides have agreed to intensify cooperation against terrorism through exchange of intelligence and other unspecified steps.

Israelis dismiss suggestions that they are engaged in a war against Islam. "This is not an inter-faith war, but a struggle against terror", they said. Asked about triangular cooperation with the United States against terrorism, the sources said they raised the issue with the Indian side.

On defence cooperation, the Israeli side said all obstacles to the transfer of sophisticated Phalcon air-borne radars have been removed. With political consent from Russia now at hand, the discussions are now expected to shift to price negotiation. The proposal is to integrate the Phalcon radar with Russian transport aircraft for Indian use.

On the Arrow missile defence system, the sources suggest that the issue is some distance away from a final resolution. The U.S., which funded part of the development costs of the programme in Israel, has to give a green signal for the transfer of Arrow missiles to India. Washington is yet to take a view on allowing the sales of Arrow to third parties. The Israeli side, however, is holding out the hope for a much faster movement on civilian high technology cooperation in the areas of space, water desalination and solar energy development. Mr. Sharon, the sources said, has extended an invitation to Atal Bihari Vajpayee to visit Israel. "He will find himself among friends", Israeli sources said.

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