TEL AVIV: On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, a senior official from the Israeli foreign ministry said that his country supports India on ‘terrorism’ emanating from Pakistan “hook, line and sinker”, and is “not asking for a quid pro quo”.
“We say that India has the right to defend itself, just like Israel has the right to defend itself. I don’t see a difference between LeT and Hamas. A terrorist is a terrorist,” said Mark Sofer, deputy director general in charge of the Asia and Pacific division.
Both the prime ministers are scheduled to hold talks Wednesday. Netanyahu will accompany Modi for most of the two-day visit after hosting a private dinner for the Indian Prime Minister at his official residence. Modi is also scheduled to visit a floriculture farm and the Holocaust museum.
Sofer, a former ambassador to India, said, “Both countries face the same challenges of terrorism and face the same struggle. No civilised country can defeat terrorism by itself. All like-minded countries, like India and Israel, have to make a concerted effort.”
