India, Israel should cooperate to checkmate terror: Krishna

Jerusalem, Jan 10 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S M Krishna today said India and Israel should work out a strategy to "checkmate" the scourge of international terrorism. Krishna who met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed international terrorism as a common "problem" being faced by both the countries and called for efforts "to checkmate it and ultimately eradicate terror from the face of the earth". Krishna, the first Indian foreign minister to visit Israel in over a decade, also said India has learnt much from Israel, particularly in the field of agriculture and science and technological innovation. "India is a natural ally of Israel in all these frontiers of science. I look forward to an increased economic content to our existing areas of cooperation," he said, ahead of his breakfast meeting with Netanyahu. Netanyahu responded by saying that he was looking forward to discussing "all areas of cooperation". Yesterday, Krishna had called on Israeli President Shimon Peres who described India as the "greatest democracy on earth". He also said Israel wants New Delhi to become a permanent member of the expanded United Nations Security Council. Peres said Tel Aviv was following New Delhi with "great care and interest". Israel has now emerged as the second biggest defence supplier to New Delhi after Russia. From a buyer-seller relationship, both India and Israel are now trying to branch out to joint research and development initiatives. Sources said that after Mumbai attacks, India recognised Israel's expertise in Homeland Security and related sectors. Many Israeli companies are active in India providing their services to the public and private sectors. Both the countries are in discussion on a Free Trade Agreement and Israeli Prime Minister today said he believes that it will have a multiplier effect on the bilateral trade volume. India-Israel bilateral trade and economic relations have progressed rapidly in recent years. From a mere USD 200 million in 1992, the bilateral trade with Israel was expected to reach USD 5 billion by 2011 end. The figure does not include defence purchases. PTI