Press Release No. 77
December 13th,2007
Briefing Points by Official Spokesperson on the meeting of the Consultative Committee on External Affairs
The External
Affairs Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, chaired the meeting of the
Consultative Committee on External Affairs held on 12 December 2007. As part
of his opening statement, External Affairs Minister briefed the Members on
India’s close interaction with West Asian countries. He emphasized that
India’s engagements with these countries in the political, economic,
cultural and other fields has grown considerably and West Asia has emerged
as an important region whose stability and security has a direct relevance
for India.
On the Palestine issue, the External Affairs Minister stated that India
supports a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable
and united State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders living
side by side at peace with Israel as endorsed in the Roadmap and UNSC
Resolutions 1397 & 1515. India has supported the Quartet Roadmap of 2003 and
the Arab Peace Initiative, resumption of dialogue on Israel-Lebanon and
Israel-Syria Tracks and believes that these have to be addressed in efforts
to establish comprehensive and durable peace in the region.
India’s support to the Palestinian cause has not wavered. India recognized the PLO as a representative of the Palestinian people in 1975 and was one of the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine in 1988.
The External Affairs Minister also touched upon the significant humanitarian contribution that India has made to the Palestinian people who are coping with multiple challenges. Together with the Palestine National Authority, India is working on several development projects, including a cardiac hospital in Gaza, a school in Abu Dis and an IT Centre at the Al Quds University. India has also rushed life-saving drugs for Palestinian civilians affected by the conflict. In consultation with the Lebanese government, India is working to assist the Palestinian refugees at the Nahr al -Bared Camp in North Lebanon.
The External Affairs Minister informed the Members that India was invited to attend the Middle East Peace Conference in Annapolis held on 27th November. In its statement at the Conference, India applauded the Joint Understanding reached by the President of Palestine Mr. Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister of Israel Mr. Ehud Olmert to launch vigorous, ongoing and continuing bilateral negotiations over the coming weeks and months to arrive at a negotiated solution of the core issues that will lead to the establishment of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian State, living side by side in mutual peace and prosperity with the State of Israel.
The External Affairs Minister also informed the Members that Mr. E. Ahamed, Minister of State for External Affairs would attend the International Donors Conference for Palestine being held in Paris on December 17.
New Delhi
December 12, 2007