By KUNA
New Delhi : India Monday said it was deeply concerned with recent events in Gaza and the West Bank and declared that New Delhi is ready to extend all possible assistance to mitigate the sufferings of the people of Palestine.
Making a Suo Motu Statement today on Foreign Policy-related Developments in Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian Parliament) here, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the Government has been deeply concerned with the recent events in Gaza and the West Bank.
The hardship and misery caused by these developments is deplorable. “We have indicated that India is ready to extend all possible assistance to help the people of Palestine to overcome the suffering they are facing,” he added.
He noted that since last December India has made vigorous efforts to promote its objective of an external environment that enables the countrys accelerated development efforts and increases its strategic space.
On India-Pakistan ties, the Minister said, “We are gratified that, in the recent elections in Pakistan, the people of Pakistan were able to express their wishes clearly and in a democratic manner on their own future. Indian government stands ready to resume the Composite Dialogue process as soon as a duly constituted government is in place in Pakistan.” On India-China relations, the Minister said, “Indian Prime Minister paid an official visit to the Peoples Republic of China, our largest neighbour, from January 13-15. On the boundary question, during Prime Ministers visit, both sides positively appraised the work of the Special Representatives in seeking a mutually acceptable framework for a settlement. PMs visit to Arunachal Pradesh (Northeast India) was to assure our citizens that Government is mindful of their developmental needs, and is ready and willing to assist them through concrete projects. The fact that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India has been clearly conveyed to the Chinese side by Government.” On Afghanistan, Mukherjee said, “The security situation in Afghanistan remains a concern to us, but will not be allowed to affect our commitment to Afghanistans reconstruction. The international community must stand firmly with President Karzai and his Government.” On Sri Lanka, he said, India is closely monitoring developments in Sri Lanka and is concerned about the recent upsurge in the violence and conflict in that country, the country’s policy towards Sri Lanka is based on the conviction that there is no military solution to the conflict.
On global nuclear cooperation, the Minister said, “We are currently engaged in negotiations with the International Atomic Energy Agency to arrive at an agreed text of an India-specific Safeguards Agreement. The conclusion of such an agreement will enable the Nuclear Suppliers Group to amend its guidelines for civil nuclear commerce in favour of India.” “I would emphasize that the government will continue its efforts to develop close political, social and economic relations with the countries of our region and with all the major powers of the world, so as to add to our ability to pursue our independent foreign policy as dictated by our national interest, ” he stressed.