M A I N   N E W S

Sharon reaches Delhi, Pak shows concern

New Delhi, September 8
Mr Ariel Sharon, the first Israeli Prime Minister to set foot on the Indian soil, arrived here tonight amid tight security on a historic visit that is expected to forge a strategic alliance and consolidate political and defence ties with the Jewish state.

Heading a 124-member delegation, including top representatives of Israeli defence industries, Mr Sharon will hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee tomorrow on a range of bilateral, regional and international issues.

The Israeli leader was received at the Delhi airport by Minister of State for Human Resource Development Vallabhbhai Kathiria, Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal, India’s Ambassador to Israel R S Jassal, diplomats and senior officials. He will be accorded a ceremonial welcome tomorrow in the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

A group of Israeli children along with Tel Aviv’s ambassador-designate David Daniel were at the airport to receive Mr Sharon, who posed for photographs. However, he quickly left the airport without having any word with the waiting reporters.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday expressed “deep concern” over the growing defence co-operation between New Delhi and Tel Aviv and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s first-ever visit to India. — PTI