Israel to extend all possible support to India against Pakistan
Sofer asserted that India and Isreal both are facing the menace of terrorism.
JERUSALEM (Daily Dunya) – Israel while announcing complete and unconditional support for India has said that there is no difference between the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Hamas.
"We feel that India has a right to defend itself against terrorists in the same way as Israel has a right to defend itself from terrorists. We are both suffering from the same scourge. I really don’t see any difference between the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Hamas; I never did and I don’t today. A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist," Deputy Director General of Israel’s foreign ministry, Mark Sofer said while talking to media.
Sofer asserted that India and Isreal both are facing the menace of terrorism. He said that Israel will assist India in tackling terrorism emanating from within the country and Pakistan.
"Israel has never hidden the fact that it supports India hook, line and sinker on the subject of terrorism. We are not asking for a quid pro quo. You have suffered from terrorism from inside India, and not just emanating from Pakistan, which has been seen in recent history," he said.
"Killing people for some sort of spurious or inexplicable ideological aim is terrorism, however you look at it. And that is what is happening from outside into India and coming from outside into Israel as well. We both clearly share the same struggle against the forces of evil," notified Sofer, who has also served as ambassador to India.
Modi begins first ever Israel visit by an Indian PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on Tuesday for what he called a "groundbreaking" first ever visit by an Indian premier, with growing ties between the two countries including billion of dollars in defence deals.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials gave Modi a red carpet welcome at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv as he began his three-day visit.
The two leaders embraced heartily and gave brief speeches, pledging to work together on issues including security, agriculture and energy.
"It is my singular honour to be the first ever prime minister of India to undertake this groundbreaking visit to Israel," Modi said.
Netanyahu said "we ve been waiting for you a long time. We ve been waiting almost 70 years in fact, because yours is truly a historic visit".
The two leaders are to hold talks on Wednesday. India is the world’s biggest importer of defence equipment, and Israel has become one of its major suppliers.
Israeli media have reported that the two countries sign defence deals averaging more than $1 billion (880 million euros) a year.
In April, state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries said India would buy nearly $2 billion worth of weapons technology, making it the military exporting giant’s largest ever defence contract.
The deal will see IAI provide India with an advanced defence system of medium-range surface-to-air missiles, launchers and communications technology.
--- with inputs from AFP.
