In the backdrop of the recent upsurge of violence between Israel and Palestine, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said the situation in the region “cannot be resolved by force” and called for putting an end to the ongoing blockade in Gaza.This comes in the wake of India negotiating the final steps of the Indo-US nuclear deal, and the statement assumes significance as it answers the Left’s criticism, implying that India’s foreign policy is not compromised due to its engagement with the US. Expressing India’s “concern” at the prevailing situation, Mukherjee “urged” for an “end to the cycle of violence”, and reiterated India’s position that a “just and comprehensive solution can be achieved”. He cited the UN security council resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet Road Map, which “offer a way forward”.Mukherjee, who is in Tehran to attend the 15th ministerial conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, said: “From the briefing by the Foreign Minister (of Palestine), it seems we are not getting anywhere on this issue, which we believe is political in nature and cannot be resolved by force.”He made this intervention as Palestine made a presentation on the prevailing situation in the region. Categorically saying that West Asia and the Gulf region are of obvious importance to India, due to “long civilisational links”, he said: “We have been concerned with the situation in West Asia. We continue to urge an end to the cycle of violence, the ongoing blockade of Gaza, the expansion of settlements and the construction of the separation wall.” He reiterated India’s commitment to the Palestinian cause.
