Mrs. Indira Ghandi, Prime Minister of India, expressed serious concern today over the prospects of achieving a Middle East settlement and warned that, with the passage of time the situation, instead of improving, was getting more complicated and difficulties in the way of a settlement are increasing. Mrs. Ghandi told visiting newsmen, including a group of Egyptian journalists, that India was working for a solution of an enduring nature in the Middle East, but that some people did not want an agreement and were adopting postures that are “Short-sighted.”
Mrs. Ghandi said, in reply to questions, that the United States was unhappy with India’s stand on the Middle East crisis but was not bringing any pressure to bear on India to change it. She called for “long-term views” in any solution, but stressed that the “aggressor should not be allowed to hold on to the fruits of aggression.” By “aggressor” she meant Israel.
Observers here believe that India is utterly disappointed with the failure of the United Nations Security Council to make any progress toward a Middle East settlement, and is preparing to raise the issue in the General Assembly where India is expected to suggest steps to be taken for forcing an Israeli withdrawal from Arab territories.
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