India for end to expansion of Israeli settlements in Palestine

30 March 2009

Doha: India on Monday sought an end to expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories and easing of restrictions on free movement of persons and goods within Palestine, including the Gaza Strip.

"We call for an end to the expansion of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories," Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said at the 21st Summit of the League of Arab States here.

He said India favoured a negotiated solution of the Palestinian issue resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital living within secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel.

Noting that India had supported every positive step taken towards peace in the region, Ahamed said "we also call for an early and significant easing of restrictions on the free movement of persons and goods within Palestine, including the Gaza Strip."

He said India's relationship with the Arab League had taken a leap forward by launching of India Arab Cooperation Forum during the visit of Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa to New Delhi in December.

Ahamed noted that five million Indians living in the Arab world have been contributing significantly to the development of their host countries.