Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Tuesday praised India as "one of the most important countries in the world" before going into talks with his hosts aimed at expanding military and political cooperation between both countries.
"We are very much interested in developing and strengthening relations with India," Sharon told reporters after being accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace.
Sharon was greeted by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, and Foreign Minister Sinha Yashwant.
From the Presidential Palace, Sharon went to lay a wreath on a monument to India's prophet of non-violence, Mahatma Ghandi.
"We regard India to be one of the most important countries in the world; we share our belief in democracy and I hope that my visit here will contribute in strengthening our relations with India and developing them," said Sharon, who arrived Monday on a trip to India, denounced by India's Muslim and leftwing groups.
"We believe we can do many things together in many fields," he said, according to AFP.
"This is the first visit by an Israeli prime minister here -- it will help us move forward to accomplish all those things," Sharon said.
Israel on Tuesday also offered to give "utmost support" to India in training and materials to fight terror.
"We can train and teach and supply materials we have developed in fighting terrorism. We have developed a very advanced technology....," Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Yosef Lapid told reporters after a meeting with chairman of All India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) MS Bitta at the latter's residence.
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee told reporters, "We have old relations. A new shape is being given to these relations -- it is a historic visit and I am confident it will bring the two countries closer."
Security has been tightened across the Indian capital for Sharon's visit, with riot-control police stationed at points where demonstrations were likely.
Premier Sharon is due to hold meetings Tuesday with Indian leaders including Vajpayee, his deputy Lal Krishna Advani, President Abdul Kalam, who is Muslim, and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, an architect of New Delhi's warming ties with Israel.
Sharon is leading a 150-member delegation of officials and businesspeople including the chiefs of major Israeli arms firms.
An official with the Israeli delegation said the two countries might in "another couple of weeks" sign a billion-dollar sale to India of the Phalcon AWACS radar systems.
It will not be finalized during Sharon's trip due to "bureaucratic lapses, things that have to be worked out," he said.
Meanwhile, India has insisted its ties remain strong with the Arab world despite its growing links with Israel.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the chief cleric of Delhi's Jama Masjid, plans to lead a protest march Tuesday to the Israeli embassy to denounce Sharon, whom he described as "the man behind all the savage and brutal activities of Israel against Palestinian Muslims."
In the meantime, dozens of Muslim demonstrators were arrested in Bombay on Tuesday while holding anti-Israel protests. However, police officials stated that charges would not be pressed against those detained. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
