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Israel backs India's stand on Shimla Agreement
Israel backs India's stand on Shimla Agreement
New Delhi, Apr 18 (PTI) Israel has backed India's stand on
Shimla agreement being the basis for negotiations with
Pakistan in finding a solution to the Kashmir issue.
The Israeli stand was conveyed by its Foreign Minister, Mr
Shimon Perez to the Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr
R L Bhatia, who concluded his four-day official visit to
Israel and Gaza today.
Durng his talks with Israel leaders, Mr Bhatia was told
about their commitment to maintain the momentum of the dynamic
growth in bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic
relations.
Mr Bhatia met among others the Israeli President,Mr Exer
Weizman and Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Tossi Beilin.It was
also noted that the Indo-Israeli trade crossed half a million
dollars in 1994.
Mr Bhatia's visit is the first by a Minister from the
Indian Foreign Office since the signing of a memorandum of
understanding in 1993 providing for regular consultations.
In Gaza, Mr Bhatia met the PLO Chairman, Mr Yasser Arafat
and the Chief Negotiator for autonomy talks with Israel.
The Palestinian leaders thanked India for the moral and
material support extended by India to the Palestinian cause.
Mr Bhatia conveyed to both the Israeli and Palestinian
leaders that India fully supported the peace process and
desired an early resolution of all disputes.
Mr Bhatia handed over to President Mr Weizman a letter
from the President, Dr S D Sharma inviting him to visit India.
Mr Weizman accepted the invitation and tentatively indicated
that the visit could be scheduled for early next year.
Commercial relations between India and Israel are poised
to be further strengthened in the coming years with the
signing of bilateral trade agreement in December last year
under which both countries would accord most favoured nation
status to each other as well as the treaty for avoidance of
double taxation.
In Gaza, Mr Arafat noted that India had pledged a
contribution of one million U.S dollars for the Palestinian
National Authority at the Washington Donors' Conference
despite its own resource constraints.
