India calls for end to violence, commitment to peace in W A

Tehran, Jul 30 (UNI) India today reaffirmed solidarity with the Palestinian people, saying a just and comprehensive solution to the issue could be achieved not through force but based on the principle of 'land for peace' and in accordance with the series of UN Security Council resolutions, In a statement at the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Committee on Palestine, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that in keeping with backing of the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) in all its tracks, India had consistently supported the Palestinian people in realising their legitimate aspirations for a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, existing side-by-side in peace with Israel.

The Committee was set up at the Seventh NAM Summit in New Delhi 25 years ago.

The Minister said West Asia and the Gulf regions were of obvious importance to India, given the long civilizational links.

''We continue to urge an end to the cycle of violence, the ongoing blockade of Gaza, the expansion of settlements and the construction of the separation wall,'' the Minister said while expressing concern at the violence in the region.

The External Affairs Minister, who is here to attend the 15th Foreign Ministerial Meeting of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM), in his speech, called for concerned action against global terrorism by the international community, particularly the 118-nation NAM.

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