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 visiting the
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.
India committed to Palestinian cause
