18 November 2004	Thursday	05 Shawwal 1425

NEW DELHI, Nov 17: Foreign ministry officials of India and Israel on Wednesday discussed the post-Yasser Arafat scenario in their first meeting since the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance took power in May.

The two countries also discussed India-Pakistan ties in the context of a controversial range of arms deals between India and Israel who are to include unmanned spy planes.

By an apparent coincidence, India also announced on Wednesday the posting of Mr Arun Singh, the foreign ministry official in charge of the Pakistan desk, as new envoy to Israel.

The current high commissioner of India in Islamabad, Mr Shiv Shankar Menon, is a former ambassador to Israel. In Wednesday's talks, the Indian delegation was led by Mr Rajiv Sikri, secretary (East), ministry of external affairs.