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NEW DELHI, Sept 5: A visit by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon next week is stirring fears among India’s minority Muslims that the two countries are forging a new and potentially anti-Islamic alliance.
India’s military hopes the trip, which begins on Monday and is the first by an Israeli prime minister, will boost defence ties. It has raised expectations of a deal worth more than $1 billion in which India will buy Israeli Phalcon airborne radars.
But Muslim leaders are already expressing misgivings.
Hundreds of Muslims rallied outside one of Bombay’s main mosques after Friday prayers protesting against the visit.
“By inviting Ariel Sharon, the government of India has stabbed Muslims in the back,” Fareed-Uz-Zaman, the chief cleric of Minara Masjid, told the crowd. “We consider Sharon a bitter enemy of Islam, a bitter enemy of Muslims.” Some protesters waved banners and placards reading: “Ariel Sharon Godfather of Terrorism” and “Sharon Enemy of Humanity”.
FIVE PACTS EXPECTED: India and Israel will not cut a deal on Phalcon radar systems when Prime Minister Ariel Sharon arrives here next week but the two countries are due to sign five non-military pacts, an Indian official said on Friday.
The Israeli leader arrives in New Delhi on a four-day visit starting on Monday at the head of a 150-member delegation that includes three cabinet ministers, businessmen and chief executives of major Israeli armaments firms.
A senior foreign ministry official told a press briefing that the two sides would continue discussions on the billion-dollar sale of three Israeli Phalcon Airborne Warning And Control Systems (AWACS) during the visit.
“India and Israel will sign agreements on environment protection, fighting narcotics trafficking, introducing a visa-free regime for diplomatic passport holders, and cooperation in the field of health and medicines, along with culture and education.”—Reuters/AFP
