International community has duty to address Gaza issue: India

Ruchi Kapoor
Dubai, Jun 9 (PTI) Deploring the continued Israeli
blockade of Gaza, India on Wednesday said the international
community had the duty to address the issue and ensure access
of essential supplies to the civilian population.
The blockade is denial of "essential supply to the
civilians in Gaza," Commerce and Industry Minister Anand
Sharma said here after addressing the India Business Summit.
"...the international community collectively has a duty
to address it and give relief to the civilian population," he
said amid rising tensions over the enforcement of blockade by
Israel on Gaza.
Sharma had on Tuesday said in Istanbul that peace and
security in the region could be achieved only through peaceful
dialogue and not through use of force.
He pointed out that the civilian population especially
women and children are the victims of the deadlock.
The Minister emphasised that both Israel and Palestine
have to work to resolve their problems and the other nations
of the region should create a conducive environment for
negotiations.
"...the lasting solution can only be the two-nation
formula, which India supports," the minister added.
India has been supporting the cause of creation of the
State of Palestine which lives in peace and harmony with
Israel.
Sharma deplored the Israeli attack a few days back on a
ship that was transporting aid to Gaza area and killing of
people and warned that such incidents could further aggravate
the already tense situation in the region. PTI