Israel helped India turn around Kargil war : Envoy

New Delhi, Feb 08 (UNI) In a startling revelation, the Israeli Ambassador in New Delhi, Mark Sofer, has said his country had assisted India in ''turning around'' the situation during the 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan.

In an interview with a weekly, the Ambassador disclosed how defence ties between the two countries got a boost after Kargil when Israel came to India's rescue at a critical time, helping turn around the situation on the ground.

''I think we proved to the Indian government that you can rely on us, that we have the wherewithal. A friend in need is a friend indeed,'' he said.

He also disclosed that Indo-Israeli defence ties would go beyond mere selling-buying of arms.

''We do have a defence relationship with India, which is no secret. What is secret is what is the defence relationship. And with all due respect, the secret part will remain secret,'' he said in the interview to Outlook weekly newsmagazine.

UNI RB MSJ HS1817