Speaking at the inaugural session of the Non-Aligned movement conference in Sharm al-Sheikh today, Minister of State for External Affairs, E Ahamed said that though they require patience and persistence, diplomatic means provide "more durable" solutions to conflicts.
He said in a world where challenges are more complex, and transnational in nature the unity of the NAM was of paramount importance but it was also important to respect the unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of states.
"Winds of change are sweeping across West Asia and North Africa today. People are demanding a greater role for themselves in shaping their destiny, politically and economically.
"Insofar as the international community is concerned, diplomatic efforts rather than military means should be pursued," he said, a year after a mass uprising toppled a long entrenched regime in Egypt.
He said the process of change should not "cede any space to extremism".
He also made a special mention of the long-standing issue of Palestine and the need for it to be resolved in accordance with the Arab Peace initiative, the Quartet Roadmap and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
"India supports the Palestinian people's struggle for a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital living within secure and recognised borders, side by side and at peace with Israel," he said.
Ahamed also pointed to the need for achieving the Millennium Development Goals and focussing on sustainable development and inclusive growth, and the need to include the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibility while searching for climate change solutions.
He also reiterated India's stand for a reform of the world order, starting with the United Nations, to reflect contemporary realities.
"The world's international institutions, in particular, the UN and its Security Council require fundamental changes. Genuine reform is essential, in particular of the Security Council and it must encompass expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership and an improvement of its working methods," he said.
Terming terrorism as one of the greatest scourges of the times, he said it cannot be condoned or justified on any ground and the fight against it "must be unrelenting and directed not only against the terrorists, but also against those who sponsor, abet or support them".
"We need to enhance international cooperation against terrorism and plug the gaps in the legal framework, including through the adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN," he said.
