India and Israel join forces

Defence ties have been gradually developing

India and Israel have sealed burgeoning ties with an agreement to set up a joint commission to combat terrorism.

Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh agreed with his Israeli counterpart David Levy to meet every six months for strategic discussions.

Jaswant Singh: At the Holocaust memorial

Mr Singh's four-day visit follows that of the influential Home Minister, LK Advani, last month when he toured the northern border after Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon.

Recent trade figures between the two countries show that business increased by almost 50% last year and just two months ago the first Indian trade show in Israel was held in Tel Aviv.

Military exports

Defence ties, while less publicised, are a key aspect of the relationship between the two nations.

The Indian Embassy in Israel has insisted that Mr Singh's visit would not focus on defence - but analysts say that military collaboration between India and Israel is increasing.

In April, Delhi announced that it planned to buy Israeli military technology to help strengthen its defences along the Line of Control in the disputed territory of Kashmir.

Mr Levy denied Israeli press reports that the US had asked Tel Aviv to cancel the sale of radar equipment to India.

Gradual approach

In the past, the two countries kept a wary diplomatic distance from each other but since establishing diplomatic ties in 1992 they have moved closer together, bound by shared strategic interests.

Both India and Israel are concerned about Pakistan's development of nuclear weapons.

Israel is worried that Pakistan could transfer technology to its enemies in Iran and the Arab World.

But Mr Singh has been keen to emphasise India's continuing traditional support for the Palestinians during his trip here.

Neither he nor Mr Levy specified which groups were viewed as a threat in the anti-terrorism talks.