Mrs. Gandhi: Israel Has Right to Exist; Favors Continuation of Peace Talks

Premier Indira Gandhi of India said here yesterday that her country was not anti-Israel and that Israel had a right to exist. She said that she saw no reason why the Jarring peace talks cannot be resumed, despite peripheral issues. Mrs. Gandhi was interviewed on NBC-TV program “Meet the Press” by Lawrence E. Spivak, producer of the program and Pauline Frederick of the NBC news staff. Mr. Spivak questioned India’s attitude toward Israel “because of India’s all-out support for the Arab position in the Six-Day War.” Mrs. Gandhi said, “India is not anti-Israel. Since the state has come into being, we believe it has a right to exist but we also believe it can exist in peace if it has good neighborly relations and understanding with its neighbors.” Asked if she placed “full responsibility on Israel for getting good relations.” Mrs. Gandhi replied, “No, the responsibility is, naturally, all around. It is also on the United States to some extent.” Asked by Miss Frederick if she had any recommendations to get the Jarring talks started, the Indian Premier said. “I find it difficult to understand why the talks can’t go ahead. In other places and other situations, in spite of cold war and fighting, negotiations have begun and have been possible.” Miss Frederick asked if India had conveyed these views to the two parties. Mrs. Gandhi replied, “I don’t think directly, I think some of us have said so. That’s all.”