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Basharat Peer in New Delhi
Winding up his official tour to India on Tuesday evening, Shimon Peres, the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, said the relationship between New Delhi and Tel Aviv is in its 'highest and best season'.
He also lavished praise on India for successfully blending and balancing technology, tradition and freedom.
Peres, who is on his way to Bangalore for a Confederation of Indian Industry summit, hinted at the possibility of selling Phalcon airborne warning system to India.
When asked whether the Phalcon sale would be the zenith of Indo-Israeli ties, he said, "I would not go into it. But it would be better than that."
He cleared doubts that the US might oppose the sale of Phalcon saying that American clearance is required for equipment made in America.
He added that the Phalcon system is made in Israel.
He argued that even if the equipment was of American make, India should not have problems in getting the US clearance.
"India's relations with America are in good shape," Peres said.
Peres who has been frequenting India in the past, is seen by many on a diplomatic offensive to win Indian support for the conflict in West Asia.
Israel has not been happy with the Indian voting patterns in the international forums on the Palestine question.
Peres responding to a query whether he had solicited the support of the Indian leadership on the issue said, "I did not ask for it. It should come naturally."
Peres stressed on the common threat of terrorism that India and Israel faced, and emphasised that the war against terrorism would not stop, even after it ends in Afghanistan.
"You cannot stop fighting terrorism as long as it exists. I do not think the war against terrorism can be stopped till it disappears," Peres said.
"Fighting terrorism is not a luxury. It is not an option. But, it is a must," he added.
However, Peres was emphatic in making the differentiation between terrorism and Islam.
"While none of us identify Islam with terror, there are sections of Islamic fanatics, who are justifying terror," he said.
Citing the example of Osama bin Laden, whom the United States accuses of masterminding the September 11 attacks, Peres said, "Osama bin Laden does not represent Islam. He is a self appointed man, who would discriminate in killing people. He represents fanaticism that has support from certain quarters in the Islamic world."
Commenting on Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's crackdown on terrorist groups, the Israeli foreign minister said that Pakistan should make sure that it does not harbour terrorists.
Peres, however, expressed surprise that Musharraf had come forward to join the coalition against terror.
On the possibility of war between India and Pakistan, he said that maintaining peace was the greatest of the victory, but added that India could count Israel as its friend.
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