India and Jordan call for long-term Syria solution

Comprehensive approach must to tackle IS

Observing that military solutions will not bring lasting peace in Syria, India and Jordan on Sunday called for finding a long-term political solution to the crisis in that country by taking on board all sections.

Both New Delhi and Amman felt that the need of the hour was “not a piecemeal solution” to the crisis following the advance of the Islamic State.

“What we need is a comprehensive approach to tackle the issue,” Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East) in External Affairs Ministry, said after a meeting of President Pranab Mukherjee and Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour.

The transition should happen through negotiations and both sides can sit together and negotiate following which a new government can be set up, he said about the deliberations.

At the University of Jordan, where he addressed students after being conferred a honorary doctorate, Mukherjee said: “India has been consistently calling for all sides in the Syrian conflict to abjure violence so that conditions can be created for an inclusive political dialogue.”

“We see this as the only path to comprehensive, permanent, political solution as there can be no military solution to this conflict,” he said.

Mukherjee said India has been stating that such a dialogue must take place into account the “legitimate aspirations” of Syrian people.

“India believes that Syria has a key and fundamental part to play in achieving peace and stability in West Asia. Prolonged conflict in Syria has already begun to have a severe impact on the region and beyond,” he added.

During their talks, both Mukherjee and Ensour agreed that there was a meeting of minds on the issue of Syria. Both the countries agreed that the deliberations to find a solution to the Syrian crisis should involve all the sides, including current government.

The international community should broker peace under the aegis of the United Nations.
Both the leaders discussed at length on how the process should go ahead. They felt that all measures needed like diplomatic isolation and exchange of information on terror assets should be considered.

“The issue should be debated in the United Nations,” Wadhwa said on the deliberations of the discussions.

India also stressed that the long pending Comprehensive Convention on Terrorism should be cleared by the international community. On the issue of terrorism, Mukherjee felt that the fight should not be restricted to the Islamic State or the outfits in India’s neighbourhood. Both the leaders also discussed Palestine-Israel where Mukherjee espoused India’s stand.