Sharon Uses India Visit To Polish World Image
"No doubt, as a leader of the non-aligned bloc of countries, India plays a significant role in international politics and Israel would like to avail itself of its ties with India in order to improve Israel’s position in the international arena," an Israeli official told reporters, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Speaking at an official welcome ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace early Tuesday, Sharon said Israel was "very interested" in developing and strengthening relations with India.
He arrived in New Delhi Monday, September 8, leading a 150-strong delegation of politicians and senior business executives, many from the defense, high tech and agriculture industries, on a landmark visit met by thousands of protestors shouting "anti-Israel and anti-Sharon slogans".
Although strategic cooperation and defense-related issues were high on the agenda, Israel was also looking to expand trade ties with India, said an Israeli official, who asked not to be named.
"The purpose of this mission and its rather large entourage is basically to expand the relationship beyond the strategic and security spheres," he said.
"The defense component is very important clearly because of the strong strategic ties and the ongoing strategic dialogue (but) we’re trying to expand into other areas such as experimental farms and to expand trade relations with regard to civilian high-tech."
Israel has set up a number of experimental irrigation projects in India, one of which lies just outside New Delhi.
"We would like Israeli companies to put out tenders for major infrastructure projects," he said, but did not give further details.
India’s Hindu newspaper, meanwhile, said Tuesday that part of the business focus would be on a bilateral space program, with both countries pursuing their shared interest in harnessing the latest developments in micro-satellite technology.
With both countries being among the select group who build and launch satellites on their own, India and Israel will be working to put substance into an October 2002 agreement on civilian space cooperation, the report said.
