India pitches for conciliatory dialogue in Egypt

NEW DELHI: Asking all political forces to abjure violence and exercise restraint, India today strongly pitched for a conciliatory dialogue to address the present situation in Egypt, which yesterday witnessed the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi by that country's Army.

Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry also said Indian mission in Cairo was in active and regular contact with all sections of the Indian community with the objective of ensuring their welfare. There are 3000 Indian nationals and about 50 Indian companies in Egypt.

"We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in Egypt. As the world's largest democracy, India was amongst the first countries to welcome the 25th January revolution and the promise of genuine democracy in a large and important country like Egypt with which we have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly ties," the spokesperson said here.

Earlier today, Justice Adly Mahmoud Mansour, head of Egypt's Constitutional Court, was sworn in as interim leader of the troubled nation, hours after the powerful army removed Morsi after series of protests.

"India urges all political forces to abjure violence, exercise restraint, respect democratic principles and the rule of law and engage in a conciliatory dialogue to address the present situation," the spokesperson said.

Last night, the army ousted Morsi, who took office a year ago as the country's first democratically elected president after days of mass rallies across the country demanding removal of the Islamist leader belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood.