Prime minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday 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.
"We call for immediate cessation of hostilities so that a settlement based on dialogue can be arrived at," Singh said after inaugurating the Naval Academy near Kannur in Kerala.
Strongly condemning the hostilities taking place in Gaza, he expressed dismay at the unfortunate killing of hundreds of innocent civilians 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.
