Israeli and Indian officials to meet to discuss terrorism

NEW DELHI: Senior officials from Israel will hold a meeting with officials from the ministry of home affairs to discuss the possibilities of working closely on security related matters, a senior government official said.

The meeting, likely in March. will be the first among many and a part of the “follow-up action” taken by the two governments after Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited India last month.

A senior ministry official did not disclose the details of the meeting’s core agenda but said that issues related to terrorism, internal security, and foreign affairs, affecting both Israel and India, will be discussed.

“The meeting is the first one between government officials from both sides after the visit of Mr Netanyahu. We are hoping that both countries will work closely and cooperate with each other on matters of security,” the official said.

In his speech, Netanyahu had said that Indians and Israelis knew too well “the pain of terrorist attacks”.

“We remember the horrific savagery in Mumbai. We grit our teeth, we fight back, we never give in,” he had said.

Other than a close cooperation on terror-related issues, the two governments are also working together in other areas, including agriculture and environment.