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New Delhi: India has
always considered the conflict in West Asia to be political and to
be resolved peacefully while consistently supporting the
Palestinian cause, President Pranab Mukherjee said Tuesday.
"India has always considered the conflict in West Asia to be
political in nature and believes it cannot be resolved by force...
India has been consistent and persevering in its commitment to the
Palestinian cause," Mukherjee said at a state banquet he hosted in
honour of the visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is
also chairman of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation.
"India wishes to see your realisation of a State of Palestine,
with East Jerusalem as its capital, existing within secure and
recognised borders side by side and in peace with Israel," he
said.
According to President Mukherjee, India's commitment to Palestine
was given voice by none less than Mahatma Gandhi in the days of
India's struggle for Independence.
"As early as in 1936, 'Palestine Day', to mark our solidarity, was
observed in India," he said, adding: "We were the first country
outside the Arab world to recognize the Palestine Liberation
Organization, in 1975, as the sole and legitimate representative
of the Palestinian people."
"In the United Nations, the Non Aligned Movement, and in other
international fora, India has always supported the Palestinian
people in pursuing their legitimate aspiration for a sovereign,
independent and viable state," said Mukherjee.
Abbas, who is on a state visit, earlier inaugurated the new
Palestinian embassy building here.
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