India expresses concern over fragile situation in Middle East

Tanmaya Lal said the situation in the Middle East remains of serious concern and is getting increasingly unpredictable

India has expressed concern over the "increasingly fragile and unpredictable" situation in the Middle East, saying the growing threat of terrorism and radicalism has added to the complexities in the region.

Participating in a UN Security Council debate on 'The Situation in the Middle East', India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Tanmaya Lal said the situation in the Middle East remains of serious concern and is getting increasingly fragile and unpredictable.

"The growing threat of terrorism and radicalism has added to the complexities of the situation in the region, which is mired with protracted conflicts," he said.

Lal said the most longstanding of the conflicts involving Israel and Palestine, remains strained with the peace talks suspended for more than two years now and with no signs of resumption at least in the near future.

"The situation appears to be getting worse with escalating violence on both sides and absence of restraint and moderation. The dire humanitarian situation in Palestinian territories and violence in Israel demands urgent and sustained efforts on part of the global community to resume peace talks," he said.

He supported UN's Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's position that "courageous steps" are necessary for a negotiated two-State solution in order to bring lasting peace, security and dignity for the people of both Israel and Palestine.

"A two-State solution is the only viable option for sustainable peace in the region. It is the responsibility of the two sides to ensure that they move closer to a solution rather than away from it," he said, adding that the international community must be firm in its resolve to assist the people on both sides and the Security Council must take a lead in this endeavour.

India welcomed the first report of the Middle East Quartet on the impediments to a lasting resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and its recommendations to advance the two-state solution through negotiations.

"We hope that the efforts by the international community can lead to building some common ground, generate mutual understanding and a common political horizon, on which the two sides can start the talks again," he said.

Lal reiterated India's support to the Palestinian cause and assistance for Palestine's nation building, human resource development and capacity building efforts.

On Yemen, India welcomed the announcement of Secretary-General's Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed last week about an agreement on the guiding principles for the Yemen peace talks.

On Syria, Lal said India hopes for a comprehensive political resolution of the conflict with the participation of all parties.

"We further hope that the intra-Syrian talks under UN auspices will ensure a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned inclusive political transition, bringing an end to the violence in Syria and contribute to stabilising the country and the region," he said.