Israel Says Terrorism Will Not Affect Its Bilateral Ties With India

November 26, 2009 9:31 a.m. EST

New Delhi (AHN) - In a show of support, Israel said on Wednesday that no terrorism can dent the bilateral ties that it shares with India. The comment came from the Israeli Embassy in India on the eve of the anniversary of terror attacks in Mumbai, commonly referred to as the 26/11.

Israel's statement said, "Bilateral trade has steadily increased from $200 million in 1992 to $4 billion in 2008[20] and tourism between the two countries is also growing, with about 35,000 Israelis traveling to India annually and almost 20,000 tourists from India visiting Israel in 2007. Given the anniversary of the Mumbai attacks, such developments are proof that terrorism didn't win, or even deter India and Israel from forging ahead in increasing their tourism and business ties."

Israel's military ties with India have also been strengthened after the Mumbai terror attacks.

The statement said, "In 2009, Israel overtook Russia as India's leading arms supplier, with Israel and India signing more than $1 billion in defense contracts in 2007 and 2008. India has increasingly turned to Israel for sophisticated weapons systems. The Mumbai terror attack in November 2008 was particularly significant in expediting India's acquisition of air and naval surveillance systems which they bought from Israel."

After the terror attack last year, India bought an aerostat radar system from Israel which it deployed along its border with Pakistan.

"The two countries have also embarked on a joint development project for a medium-range air defense system." The statement said.

Meanwhile, the entire country is commemorating the 26/11 attacks in various ways. In Mumbai prayer meetings were held.

High level of security was maintained all over the country with armed personnel stopping and checking vehicles at strategic points.

Security was especially tight at popular public places. Some private and government offices also maintained a two-minute silence to remember the victims of the terror attack last year.

Noted author Advaita Kala told AHN, "I do not have to commemorate the Mumbai terror attacks. It's become a part of me - even if I want I cannot forget the horror that was un-spooled on innocent victims last year."