India hosts Israeli counterterror team in Kashmir

NEW DEHLI — India is hosting an Israeli counterterrorism delegation in the disputed Kashmir region.

Eli Katzir, an aide of Prime Minister Ehud Barak, was invited by Indian Interior Minister Lal Krishna Advani to review India's security needs. Katzir leads a delegation that includes senior Israeli police commanders and military intelligence officials.

The New Dehli-based Times of India reported that the Israeli delegation would determine where Israel can help India in ending the Pakistani-backed insurgency in Kashmir. Advani held similar discussions in Israel in June.

Israeli contractors have also visited Kashmir in a project that would provide electronic surveillance systems and fencing to the area. The Times said Israel has limited its offer of help to "information transfers, instruction in operational methods and the sale of equipment and not include manpower training or the deployment of Israeli experts in Kashmir."

India and Israel are also preparing to sign an agreement in which New Dehli would purchase the Phalcon airborne early-warning system. The issue is also being discussed with the United States, which blocked an Israeli sale of the Phalcon to China.