India denies nuclear cooperation with Israel
Aug 26 1999 00:58 IST
CAIRO, Aug 25 (AFP) - India Wednesday denied a charge by the Arab League that it was cooperating with Israel in nuclear matters, the official Egyptian news agency MENA reported.
"There is no nuclear cooperation between India and Israel, but the two countries enjoy good relations," said a statement issued by the Indian embassy here, quoted by MENA.
The statement added that New Delhi also had long standing relations with various Arab countries, based on contact between their peoples and cooperation in political and economic fields.
"India always supports Arab issues, and in particular the Palestinian cause," it said.
"Our position has not changed, and the relationship between India and Israel will not develop at the expense of its various relations with Arab countries," the statement said.
The Arab League issued a report Tuesday accusing Israel of "military and nuclear cooperation" with India and warned against its consequences for the Arab and Islamic world.
League deputy secretary general Mohammed Zakaria Ismail said the League had information to prove the alleged nuclear cooperation, but refused to disclose it.
Earlier this year, Israel sold an advanced electronic warfare system to India despite US objections.
While India has a declared nuclear weapons capability, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its owny. Foreign experts estimate that Israel has at least 200 nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles.
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