Damascus, Nov 15: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today sought to allay fears of the Arab world over India's increasing military ties with Israel, saying India's cooperation with Tel Aviv will not dilute its relations with the Arab countries. "Our friends in the Arab world should rest assured in this regard. The important point is India has not diluted and will not dilute any aspect of its relationship with the Arab countries," Vajpayee said in a wide ranging interview with the Damascus English daily 'Syria Times'.

"We do have good relations (with Israel) in the field of defence, we have similar cooperative defence ties with other nations in the region as well. I think our record speaks for itself," Vajpayee, who is on a three-nation visit to Syria, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 15 years, said.

He pointed out that India had a long history of friendly relations with all Arab countries. India also has established diplomatic relations with Israel as have a number or other Arab nations, he said. Referring to the increasing unipolarism in the world today, he said the United Nations must play a vital role in evolving a consensual system of international relations though recent developments have affected the prestige of the world body.

"There is a strengthening consensus that the structures of the UN need to be more representative of contemporary world realities so that they can respond more effectively to modern day challenges," he said. Bureau Report