FM: India Against Military Intervention In Syria

New Delhi, Sept 13, IRNA -- India Friday expressed deep concern over the conflict in Syria, saying world powers should not resort to any military intervention in the Muslim country. India is deeply concerned at the ongoing conflict in Syria and is closely watching the fast pace of developments, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said, addressing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Heads of State Summit in Bishkek, pti reported. We have consistently called upon all sides to abjure violence so that conditions can be created for an inclusive political dialogue leading to a comprehensive political solution, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, he said. We are encouraged by the current proposal, steered by Russia, that is aimed at bringing the Syrian chemical stockpile under international control, Khurshid said, reiterating his opposition to any external military intervention in Syria’s affairs. This proposal is in alignment with India’s own consistent stance of supporting the complete destruction and elimination of chemical weapons worldwide, he added. India sees any move in this direction, within the framework of the UN, as a positive development, he said. We are hopeful that this development will reinvigorate the peace efforts towards a political solution to the Syrian conflict, including the early holding of the proposed International Conference on Syria (Geneva-II), bringing all parties to the conflict to the negotiating table, he added. The US has been pushing for military intervention in Syria after an alleged chemical weapons attack by President Bashar al-Assad's government forces killed over 1,000 people./end