India condemns Israeli raid on ship, calls for dialogue

NEW DELHI - As the UN Human Rights Council gets ready to discuss the Israeli raid on a flotilla with humanitarian aid bound for the Gaza Strip, India Tuesday reiterated its condemnation of the “indiscriminate use of force” and stressed on peaceful dialogue to restore regional peace.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash told reporters here that India deplores the tragic loss of life and the reports of killings and injuries to people on the boats carrying supplies for Gaza.

“There can be no justification for such indiscriminate use of force, which we condemn. (We) extend our sympathies to the families of the dead and wounded,” he said, reading out from a statement.

“It is our firm conviction that lasting peace and security in the region can be achieved only through peaceful dialogue and not through use of force.”

The Congress party also condemned the attack on people carrying supplies for the Gaza Strip.

“Such use of force is blatant negation of all human values. The party expresses its sympathy with the families who have lost their members and with those who have suffered injuries,” party general secretary Janardan Dwevedi said.

Dwivedi, who heads the party’s media department, said the Congress has always been of the firm view that peace cannot be achieved through use of force. “The only way to lasting peace is dialogue and mutual understanding,” he said.

Israeli naval commandos boarded a flotilla of civilian aid ships bound for the blockaded Gaza Strip before dawn Monday, killing 16 people.

The incident has sparked widespread global outrage. The UN Security Council has issued a statement calling for a “prompt, impartial, credible and transparent” inquiry into the incident.