Washington: Welcoming the Indo-Israeli friendship, United States has expressed its willingness to work constructively with both the sides if its support or approval was needed.

Terming Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit to India as a "bilateral matter", US State Department spokesman Richard 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 on September 8.

"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.

On India's arms purchases from Israel, Boucher said the US' attitude depends on what was being sold.

"There have been sales before that we have raised no objection to," he said.

PTI