By NNN-PTI,
Riyadh : Concerned over a spurt in violence in Palestinian territories, India has asked the international community to address the Middle East problem by looking at it “seriously”.
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is on a visit here, discussed the issue with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz yesterday and emphasised that India was committed to the Palestinian cause, saying it was “firm and undiluted”.
“We discussed how to galvanise and accelerate the Middle East Peace process,” Mukherjee told reporters after his 40-minute meeting with the King.
The discussions assume significance as Gaza has been witnessing a spurt in violence over the last few days between Hamas and Israeli troops, resulting in a number of casualties.
Maintaining that Palestinians have “right to homeland”, Mukherjee said the “international community should address the problem by looking at it seriously and see how both sides exercise restraint so that the atmosphere of peace is restored.” He said the two sides had “convergence of views” on it.
India has already expressed sadness over the renewed violence and emphasised that dialogue was the only viable option to resolve the problem.