By NNN-KUNA
New Delhi : India asserted that there was no military solution to the Israeli-Palestine conflict and called for negotiated settlement to the decades old issue and also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people.
“The entire world is a witness to the manner in which the border restrictions, economic sanctions and a restrictive regime have brought the Palestinian economy to the verge of a collapse.
The continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories and the relentless construction of the separation wall threaten to create new facts on the ground and fresh grievances in an old conflict,” India’s Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said in his address Friday at a seminar to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People at Delhi.
The seminar was organised by Indian government’s leading foreign policy think tank Indian Council for World Affairs.
“India believes that there is no military solution to the problems facing the Middle East. We have repeatedly called for all parties in West Asia to fully cooperate with the international community in its efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace,” the Minister said, adding, “We support the revival of direct negotiations between the leaders of Israel and Palestine.
“We look forward to the continuation of a constructive dialogue and forthcoming meetings towards further resolution of issues on the agenda.”
“As a responsible member of the international community and as a country with long-established ties with West Asia, India also desires to see a peaceful resolution to tensions in the region through peaceful dialogue.
At the Annapolis Conference last November, India reaffirmed its commitment to play its due role in the collective endeavour of the international community to strengthen the forces of peace and stability in the region,”Ahamed stressed.
“On this occasion, I would like to re-affirm India’s consistent and unwavering support to the friendly people of Palestine and reiterate India’s belief that a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region can be achieved through negotiations and dialogue so that a sovereign, independent, viable State of Palestine living side by side within secured borders, with the State of Israel, becomes a reality,” he pointed out.