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NEW DELHI: After its initial ambivalence over the Palestine issue, which manifested in the vote against Israel at UNHRC soon after it tried to block a debate in Parliament over the Gaza conflict, the government on Thursday reassured the Arab world that India will continue with its "strong political" support to the Palestinian cause.
Acknowledging that India's position had created conflicting interpretations in "sections of the media", external affairs minister Swaraj said 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," the minister said. She was speaking at the first India-League of Arab States Media Symposium.
"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," she said.
Swaraj, however, also said India, as a longstanding partner of the Arab world, is deeply concerned about the rise of fanaticism, extremism and terrorism in parts of the region. She said the continued captivity of 40 innocent Indian workers in Mosul and the holding of 7 Indian sea farers in prolonged custody by pirates in Somalia had brought home to ordinary Indians "searing impact" of regional instability in parts of the Arab world.
"We are concerned for the stability of these countries where terrorism and fanaticism are tearing apart the fabric of societies and also concerned over the spill-over effects on regional stability. This concern is but natural as the fate of our two regions is intertwined in many ways. Our national and energy interests are certainly important; but more important is the human bond," she said.
Swaraj identified India's infrastructure sector as a major growth area for Arab investments and spoke about PM Narendra Modi's smart city initiative. "Our government has made infrastructure upgrade and the creation of smart cities major national priorities. In this context, the sizable Sovereign Wealth Funds of Gulf countries can offer significant platform for operations of Indian companies and prove to be a game-changer in India's quest for world-class infrastructure," she said.
Govt strongly supports Palestinian cause: Sushma - The Times of India
Acknowledging that India's position had created conflicting interpretations in "sections of the media", external affairs minister Swaraj said 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," the minister said. She was speaking at the first India-League of Arab States Media Symposium.
"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," she said.
Swaraj, however, also said India, as a longstanding partner of the Arab world, is deeply concerned about the rise of fanaticism, extremism and terrorism in parts of the region. She said the continued captivity of 40 innocent Indian workers in Mosul and the holding of 7 Indian sea farers in prolonged custody by pirates in Somalia had brought home to ordinary Indians "searing impact" of regional instability in parts of the Arab world.
"We are concerned for the stability of these countries where terrorism and fanaticism are tearing apart the fabric of societies and also concerned over the spill-over effects on regional stability. This concern is but natural as the fate of our two regions is intertwined in many ways. Our national and energy interests are certainly important; but more important is the human bond," she said.
Swaraj identified India's infrastructure sector as a major growth area for Arab investments and spoke about PM Narendra Modi's smart city initiative. "Our government has made infrastructure upgrade and the creation of smart cities major national priorities. In this context, the sizable Sovereign Wealth Funds of Gulf countries can offer significant platform for operations of Indian companies and prove to be a game-changer in India's quest for world-class infrastructure," she said.
Govt strongly supports Palestinian cause: Sushma - The Times of India
