Posted on 09/10/2003 6:01:23 AM PDT by dennisw
NEW DELHI — Once bitter foes, India and Israel plan to strengthen their defense, intelligence and trade ties when Ariel Sharon attends a summit here today in the first official visit by an Israeli prime minister.
Although Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Sharon are expected to sign a joint declaration on drug trafficking, the environment and other issues, the most significant deals are likely to be negotiated behind the scenes. Flush from a booming economy, India has gone on an arms-buying spree and wants to purchase advanced systems from Israel.
At the top of the shopping list is the Phalcon airborne early-warning radar, which India has been trying to buy from Israel for years. Washington said last month that it did not object to the $1-billion sale, despite warnings from Pakistan that such a move would tip the military balance on the subcontinent.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I was wondering why Washington changed its mind. Guess the Paki's did it for them.
Don't think I'd go that far; they weren't warm friends. Sort of a misleading premise on which to base the article, but a good device to highlight contrasts between the warm and open nature of the relationship versus the past.
This kind of irresponsible and careless journalism is almost a national security risk. Watson should be fired, post haste.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.