Press Statement by BJP National President
Shri Rajnath Singh

The Ambassador of Israel Mr. David Danieli called on BJP National President Shri Rajnath Singh at the Party Central Office. Mr. David said that he had come to clarify the stand taken by Israel on conflict with Hizbollah in Lebanon to the BJP as it is the principal Opposition Party. He said that it was the right of Israel to protect itself against any possible terrorist activity but their government had maintained high level of restraint while targeting the Hizbollah hide-outs in Lebanon. He said that as the President of principal opposition Party Shri Rajnath Singh should also appreciate this view of the Israeli government. This meeting was also a preparatory work for the expected visit of Israel's Prime Minister in December.

Shri Rajnath Singh while responding to the Ambassador's remark said that the action taken by Israel on Hizbollah was for the purpose of self-defence and by not targeting the areas beyond Hizbollah influence and subsequently withdrawing the troops Israel had shown respect for the sentiments of international community. Shri Singh said that for countering terrorism, it was necessary to have a pro-active policy. He had also suggested in the past that it was necessary for India to have a pro-active role in dismantling the terrorist camps in Pakistan and Bangladesh, but only after taking the international community into confidence as far as possible. The Israeli Ambassador said that his government appreciated the ideas of BJP President.

Shri Rajnath Singh said that Israel was having some advance technologies in the field of agriculture development which could be useful for the States like Rajasthan and Gujarat as they suffered from water scarcity. These two states are already getting benefits from Israeli co-operation in the field of agriculture which needs to be further strengthened.
Shri Singh said that BJP was always in favour of having good relations with Israel right from the days of Jan Sangh. NDA government under the leadership of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee had taken Indo-Israel relationship to new heights. This feeling of co-operation will continue un-abated in future.

The Ambassador Mr. David Danieli said that his government wanted further strengthen the relations with India even on Parliamentary level. Israel wants that more and more Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha should associate with Indo-Israel Parliamentary Forum which is right now headed by BJP Leader Smt. Sushma Swaraj.

Mr. David Danieli was accompanied by Mr. Yaed Magen, the Deputy Chief of the Mission in Embassy of Israel.

In a separate meeting, a Hindu Member of Pakistan's National Assembly and Director Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights Engr. Gyanchand Singh along with Member of Provincial Assembly of North-West Frontier Province, Shri Gurusharan Lal called on BJP President Shri Rajnath Singh the same day at BJP Central Office. Shri Gyanchand appraised the President about the prevailing political situation in Pakistan and exchanged views for better co-operation on political and Parliamentary level in future.

(Shyam Jaju)
Office Incharge