Israel briefs India on Mid-East peace

Yasser Arafat was in India last week

By Satish Jacob in Delhi

Senior Israeli Minister Shimon Peres has met the Indian prime minister to explain his country's view on the Middle East peace process.

Mr Peres' visit follows closely on the heels of a similar visit by the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat.

Israel and the Palestinians have been having talks sponsored by US President Bill Clinton, but these suddenly came to a halt on the contentious question of who should control Jerusalem.

Peres: Israel pursuing both diplomatic and economic peace

Relations between India and Israel have changed dramatically in recent years.

There was a time when India openly and enthusiastically espoused the Palestinian cause and was critical about Israel's policies.

There are several reasons why relations have become warmer.

One is the better situation in the Middle East; another is the flourishing trade, worth about $1bn a year.

Yet another is the fact that the right-wing BJP government in India is more sympathetic to the Israeli state than the previous, more left-wing governments.

Compromises

Mr Peres refused to reveal what he discussed with the Indian prime minister. All he would say was that he had not come to India to drum up support for the Israeli cause, because he already knew that India supported peace in the region.

Attempts are being made by both sides to overcome the remaining differences

Shimon Peres

"Right now attempts are being made by both sides to overcome the remaining differences," Mr Peres said. "As I have said, maybe the most important difference is concerning religion.

The Israeli minister said compromises were acceptable in politics, but "it is impossible to make compromises when it comes to religion."

Mr Peres, a member of the ruling party in Israeli coalition, said there were two kinds of peace and Israel was pursuing both.

He said diplomatic peace revolved around ending the hostilities of the past and economic peace required building lasting good relations with one's neighbours.

He said his country was looking forward to enjoying both kinds of peace with the Palestinians, who he said would soon have a country of their own.

Although the Indian Government is now more neutral in its attitude towards Israel and the Palestinians, it is probably fair to say that public opinion in India is still more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause - if only because the tradition of supporting the Palestinians is deeply rooted in Indian politics, and its largest minority are the Muslims.