(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) No going back on commitment to independent Palestinian state says foreign minister googletag.Emphasising the government’s ‘unflinching commitment’ to expand ties with the Arab world External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday said there was no change in India’s policy of ‘extending strong support to the Palestinian cause while maintaining good relations with Israel’.
Addressing the inaugural session of the First India-League of Arab States Media Symposium here Sushma Swaraj told the Arab delegates that India’s ties with the Arab world “is pivotal to our national development goals as well as regional peace and stability”.
She underlined the Narendra Modi government’s “unflinching commitment to sustaining and expanding relations with the Arab world that is bound to us by centuries-old cultural and civilisational ties”.
“We see West Asia as a vital part of India’s extended neighbourhood. The region situated at the crossroads of Asia Africa and Europe is crucial to our national interests in myriad ways.”
She said that “continued peace and stability in the region is in India’s mutual strategic interest. India has been watching post-Arab Spring developments very closely...India remains ready to provide any support but strongly believes that it is for the Arab countries to decide their destiny without any external interference or diktats from outside.” On the Modi government’s stand on the conflict in Gaza she told the delegates: “Let me clarify India’s position on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict that has created conflicting interpretations in sections of the media. “On such a sensitive issue there is no room for confusion or misunderstanding. Let me repeat and underline once again: There is no change in India’s policy of extending strong support to the Palestinian cause while maintaining good relations with Israel. India is deeply concerned at the loss of large number of civilian lives in Gaza.
“We have called on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and work towards a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue. Apart from strong political support to the Palestinian cause at international regional and bilateral levels India has been contributing budgetary economic and developmental assistance to Palestine and its people.”
The Modi government’s refusal to have a parliament resolution condemning Israel for the bombardment in Gaza had attracted a lot of flak.
Emphasising India’s strong links with West Asia she said the region accounts for over 60 per cent of India’s oil and gas requirements. The over seven million-strong Indian diaspora that works there “has enriched the region with their enterprise untiring energy and dedication. In the Indian idiom ‘Bharat’ is their ‘Janm Bhoomi’ the Gulf is their ‘Karm bhoomi’” she said
“These seven million Indians have formed a powerful bridge-builder and economic connector and send home more than $40 billion in remittances annually.”
The Arab world is India’s largest trading partner with bilateral trade increasing to over $180 billion in 2012-13 with oil dominating India’s imports. But newer areas of cooperation have been identified. Travel and tourism are booming with 700 flights a week between India and the UAE alone. For more news from Khaleej Times follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes and on Twitter at khaleejtimes Follow khaleejtimes ->
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