Taking a clear stand on US-Iran nuclear deal Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon said the agreement was not good and said, “it could have been better if Iran ensured it does not continue its policy of harbouring terrorism in the region.
He said, “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, especially in field of destabilisation of the area and promoting terrorism.”
He told reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday after the inauguration of the new premises of the Consulate General of Israel, “Israel will continue standing up and telling friends in United States and around the world of what we feel about it.”
“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 added.
For a specific question 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
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 only when one influences the other,” he 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 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.