India, Egypt call for negotiated settlement of Palestine issue

New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) India and Egypt today called for a negotiated settlement of the Palestinian issue resulting a sovereign United State of Palestine living within secure and recognised borders side-by-side at peace with Israel as endorsed by the Quartet Roadmap and UN Security Council Resolutions 1397 and 1515.

The two countries also called for an end to expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine and for an early and significant easing of restrictions on free movement of people and goods within Palestine.

A Joint Declaration issued after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said both sides agreed that peace in the region required sustained and substantial negotiations among the parties. They also advocated active support of the international community and regional players for efforts in normalising the situation in West Asia, and resuming dialogue on all tracks.

The two leaders reiterated support for the Palestinian cause in line with their backing of the UN Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), ''calling for a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable, contiguous and United State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel as endorsed in the Quartet Roadmap and UNSC Resolutuions 1397 and 1515,'' the Joint Declaration said.

India also reiterated its support for the Arab Peace Plan and conveyed its appreciation for the role of moderation played by Egypt over the years.

The Egyptian side deeply appreciated India's traditional and steadfast commitment to the Palestinian cause and in consistently supporting the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people, the Joint Declaration, signed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abdul Gheit, said.

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