Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Israel’s ambassador to India, Mark Sofer, met Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy at his residence on Wednesday morning. Speaking to reporters at the end of the half-hour long meeting, he described the visit as one to a “long-time friend.”

Mr. Sofer said Israel and India had both suffered due to terrorism and ties between the two countries had become stronger after the Mumbai attacks on November 26 2008. Tourist arrivals from Israel had actually picked up in the last few months, he said.

“A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist. We do not accept the old idea that a terrorist for some may be a freedom fighter for others, any more,” he said, advocating a strong line against terrorists.

Mr. Sofer, also a non-resident ambassador to Sri Lanka, discussed the Sri Lankan issue with S.C.Chandrahasan, founderof the Organisation for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OfERR), present during the discussion.

Dr. Swamy said Sri Lanka should allow for devolution of powers and take confidence-building measures (CBM) to reassure Sri Lankan Tamils even before the elections were due.

Talking about Indo-Israel ties, Mr. Sofer said delegations of Israeli scientists would visit India in October or November. There would be technology exchange related to agriculture and bio-fuels. Israel was also involved in building the desalination project near Chennai and was committed to more such ventures, he added.