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India’s Support of Arab States Against Israel is Seen As Contradicting Non-alignment

May 6, 1969
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India’s support of the Arab states against Israel was criticized by a group of Indian parliamentarians at a symposium here organized by an international study group of the UNESCO Club. J.B. Kripalani, a Socialist leader, said non-aligned countries should refrain from taking sides in international disputes but India, which professes non-alignment, has consistently favored the Arabs in their dispute with Israel.

Mr. Kripalani said India had gone out of its way to support Egypt even after it had been established that Egypt began hostilities in the spring of 1967 by blockading the Gulf of Aqaba. Prof. Balraj Madhok, another MP, said that by taking sides in the Mideast conflict, India had spoiled chances for peace. “When so many countries have diplomatic relations both with Cairo and Tel Aviv. why can’t we?” he asked. He said Israel could well be “a second string to our bow” in the Middle East.

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