Nearly a fortnight after Israeli forces launched an excruciating attack on the Gaza Strip killing hundreds of civilians, New Delhi on Thursday finally broke its silence over the matter to issue a strong condemnation and called for an immediate end to the hostilities and a reinstatement of the dialogue process.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed India's strong condemnation of hostilities in Gaza and favoured immediate halt to them so that a settlement based on dialogue can be arrived at.
Speaking for the first time on the current violence in Gaza, he also reiterated India's "unstinted and unwavering" support to the just Palestinian cause.
The prime ministerial statements came after media reports on Wednesday said that a conclave of the CPM to be held in Kerala was likely to blister the ruling Congress led coalition for its silence over the massive and disproportionate use of force by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Left parties view the silence as a pointer towards a clear shift in India’s foreign policy.
Speaking on the sidelines of a function marking the opening of the Naval Academy near Kannur in Kerala Premier Singh said: "We call for immediate cessation of hostilities so that a settlement based on dialogue can be arrived at."
Singh expressed dismay over the huge civilian casualties in the bombings by Israeli forces.
"I reiterate our unstinted and unwavering support to the just Palestinian cause. This is an area of special priority for India and over the next decade and more this focus would only intensify further," Singh said.
The Prime Minister said the Gulf is part of India's extended neighbourhood, separated only by the Arabian Sea, of which the Indian Navy is one of the sentinels.
Noting that India and the Gulf countries have a shared view of peace and prosperity in the region, he said many of these countries look upon India as a friendly and benign neighbour on which they can depend in times of difficulty and need.
While inaugurating the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Chennai, Singh expressed hope that the international community would get together and help restore peace in the region as soon as possible.
France, Egypt and several other nations have been pushing for an immediate ceasefire in the region.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed India's strong condemnation of hostilities in Gaza and favoured immediate halt to them so that a settlement based on dialogue can be arrived at.
Speaking for the first time on the current violence in Gaza, he also reiterated India's "unstinted and unwavering" support to the just Palestinian cause.
The prime ministerial statements came after media reports on Wednesday said that a conclave of the CPM to be held in Kerala was likely to blister the ruling Congress led coalition for its silence over the massive and disproportionate use of force by Israeli forces in Gaza.
Left parties view the silence as a pointer towards a clear shift in India’s foreign policy.
Speaking on the sidelines of a function marking the opening of the Naval Academy near Kannur in Kerala Premier Singh said: "We call for immediate cessation of hostilities so that a settlement based on dialogue can be arrived at."
Singh expressed dismay over the huge civilian casualties in the bombings by Israeli forces.
"I reiterate our unstinted and unwavering support to the just Palestinian cause. This is an area of special priority for India and over the next decade and more this focus would only intensify further," Singh said.
The Prime Minister said the Gulf is part of India's extended neighbourhood, separated only by the Arabian Sea, of which the Indian Navy is one of the sentinels.
Noting that India and the Gulf countries have a shared view of peace and prosperity in the region, he said many of these countries look upon India as a friendly and benign neighbour on which they can depend in times of difficulty and need.
While inaugurating the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Chennai, Singh expressed hope that the international community would get together and help restore peace in the region as soon as possible.
France, Egypt and several other nations have been pushing for an immediate ceasefire in the region.
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