NEW DELHI, Oct 7: Israel has sought to play down its defence cooperation with India, seeking to allay fears of an anti-Pakistan alliance with New Delhi, according to remarks of its new ambassador here David Danieli published in the Asian Age on Tuesday.

In the interview, Mr Danieli sought to downplay bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, especially in the expectations raised by the recent visit to India by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon,” the Age said.

Mr Danieli lauded the military cooperation with India and a possible $1 billion deal for three Phalcon early warning radars, saying: “We are certainly satisfied when India finds it appropriate to cooperate with us on those (military) matters for the joint benefit and interest of the two countries.”

Mr Danieli, an arms control and disarmament expert, said Israel had no intention of competing with Russia to capture the lucrative Indian arms market.

“And certainly this bilateral cooperation in defence is not meant to harm any third country,” he said, an apparent reference to expectations in India and fears voiced in Pakistan that the sale of Israeli military equipment to India would affect Islamabad seriously.

Mr Danieli said his main focus would be on strengthening trade and commercial ties between the two countries.