Bengaluru: Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon today said the imminent nuclear deal between US and Iran is not a good agreement, but could have been better if Iran ensured that it does not continue its policy of destabilisation and promotion of terrorism in the region. “I would not be the first to tell you that we don’t like the agreement. It is not a good agreement. We thought a better agreement could be reached in a way that would make sure that Iran does not continue or does not use or does not misuse what it is already doing in the area, specially in field of destabilisation of the area and promoting terrorism,” he told reporters after the inauguration of the new premises of the Consulate General of Israel here.
“Israel will continue standing up and telling friends in United States and around the world of what we feel about it,” Carmon said. Responding to a query on how Israel sees India and Iran economic ties, Carmon said India understands the complexity of the Iranian policy of destabilisation, promotion of terrorism and developing military nuclear capability. He further said that Iranian policy of destabilisation and promotion of terrorism is not only a matter of concern for Israel but also for many countries and governments and people around the larger Middle-East or West Asia.
“What is complicated for us – Israel – and also for our region is the Iranian policy of destabilisation, of promoting terrorism in our region, of being active in many areas of our larger region of developing military nuclear capability… I hope our concerns about Iran are known and I know that they are known and understood by our Indian colleagues and friends,” he said.
Asked about the update on lifting of ban on the Israeli Military Industries in India, Carmon hoped that it will be cleared soon and it does not affect the wonderful relations between the defence establishments of both countries. “It (the blacklisting of the Israeli company) is only a drop in something much much bigger and if there is a problem …I hope that this will be cleared very soon. (However) it does not affect the overall wonderful relations of our defence establishments,” he said.
Asked to comment on India’s stand on Palestinian cause, Carmon reiterated External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s comments that India has a commitment to Palestine cause and has good relations with Israel. “She (Sushma Swaraj) said we have a commitment to the Palestinian and the Arab cause and we have good relations with Israel. She said it in Cairo, she said to the audience of the Arab League,” he said.
“It also doesn’t bother Israel. But it is a bother if only when one influences the other,” he said. Asked whether he would credit Narendra Modi government for changing the perception of strengthening ties with Israel, Carmon said, “…Frankly speaking our relations is with India and the Indian government. Whichever government is in power, it is our interlocutor.”
On President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Israel, Camron said it will be historic in terms of strengthening the ties between the two countries. “His visit has not been officially announced but we are working on the details of the visit. It is a historic visit if you take into consideration what we have been talking about …we are very excited to have for the first time the Indian President visiting Israel,” he said.
