New Delhi
15 August 2005
As Israel began its historic pullout from the Gaza strip after 38
years of occupation, New Delhi has reiterated it will continue to support the inalienable
right of Palestinian people to have their own state. Settlers have until midnight Tuesday
to leave voluntarily.
"We hope West Asia peace process proceeds [on course]. India will take care that
bilateral relations with Israel have no negative impact on the traditional and deeply
committed relationship with Palestine," Union Minister of State for External Affairs E
Ahamed on Monday told this newspaper.
Recalling New Delhi's offer to extend 15 million US dollars-worth of assistance to
Palestine besides supplying medicines and vehicles, Mr Ahamed said there was
"continuity" in India's stand.
Taking a cue from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is understood to have shown a
personal interest in the promotion of trade and economic linkages with countries in the
Gulf and central Asia, Mr Ahamed said the government was giving a "new thrust" to its
ties with the Arab and Islamic world. Also proposed are visits to the central Asian
republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Responding to a query about the references to Jammu and Kashmir at meetings of the
Organisation of Islamic Conference, the minister observed that none could "ignore or
underplay India's importance in the Islamic world and anti-India propaganda will not hold
water" given that the country is home to the world's second largest Muslim population.
He went on to state that despite India's candidacy for a permanent seat in the expanded
United Nations Security Council remains mired in uncertainty, "many Islamic countries
have pledged support [to India] and given a window of opportunity, they would exercise
their vote in favour of India."
New Delhi is working on details for promoting stronger ties with countries in the western
neighbourhood particularly with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and for
signing of a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement and preferential trade
agreements.
No comments:
Post a Comment