India, Israel hold talks on bilateral ties

JERUSALEM, DEC. 4. India and Israel held parleys on cooperation between the two countries on counter-terrorism and other bilateral and international issues including West Asia, official sources said here today.

Foreign Ministry officials of both sides met here yesterday, as part of the annual bilateral consultations between the two countries and discussed cooperation in the field of counter- terrorism between them, besides development in West Asia and prospects of peace there, they said.

``India is an important country and has various interests in the region, and we hope that all our friends including New Delhi would exercise their influence on Palestinians to come to negotiating table to discuss peace,'' the leader of the Israeli side and Deputy Director General for Asia and Pacific, Mr. Zvi Gabay, said.

The Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. K.V. Rajan, who led the Indian delegation, said ``India has very serious interests and concerns in the region and after holding talks with Israeli and Palestinian side, we are holding a meeting of some of our ambassadors in the region to exchange notes and ideas and to get their assessment of the situation.''

Aid for Palestinians

India has announced an additional aid of Rs. 50 lakh towards medical supplies and other relief measures for Palestinian victims of the clashes with Israeli forces going on for the last two months.

The aid, over and above Rs. 25 lakh, India has already extended to Palestinians for medical relief, would be placed at the disposal of Palestinian embassy at New Delhi to make their own decisions, the Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr. K.V. Rajan, who is leading a high-level delegation, visiting the troubled region, said.

- PTI

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