Washington, Sept 09: Welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to India, the United States today offered to "work constructively" with both countries and kept its options open on Tel Aviv's proposed arms sales to New Delhi. The US attitude "depends on what is being sold, but there have been sales before that we have raised no objection to," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said when asked about India's arms purchase from Israel.

India proposes to purchase Phalcon Airborne surveillance system from Israel but the deal has apparently been delayed due to American apprehensions about the possibility of its technology being transferred to third countries. However, India has ruled out any such possibility. Terming Sharon's four-day landmark visit to India as a "bilateral matter", Boucher said, "We are always glad when our friends make friends with each other and work together."

"We think we have a lot of common interests, and I am sure they (India-Israel) feel like they have common interests as well," Boucher said yesterday.

"If there is anything where our support or approval is needed in their relationship, we will try to work constructively with both sides," he said. Bureau Report