Ranchi, Sept 16: External Affairs Minister Yashwant
Sinha today said there was no change in India's policy towards
Arab countries and its commitment to the cause of Palestine
was as strong as ever.
"There is no change in Arab policy. Earlier we were
committed to the Palestine cause and today too we are
committed to it," Sinha told reporters when asked whether
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's visit marked a shift in
West Asia policy.
"India recognised Israel in 1950. Diplomatic relations
(with Israel) were established in 1992. And after a gap of
eleven years, an Israeli Prime Minister has visited India ...
So, it is not that something has happened all of a sudden," he
said.
Replying to a query on world trade talks in Cancun, he
said as the Union Commerce Minister said India had some very
important issues which the developed countries did not try to
understand. "So we could not compromise on the issues with
which we are concerned. There will be talks again."
Sinha, who left for his home town Hazaribag by road,
however ducked a question on talks with Pakistan.
Bureau Report
