India welcomes US-Russia agreement on Syria Chemical weapons

India on Monday welcomes the framework agreement reached between Russia and the US on the time-bound safeguarding and destruction of Syrias chemical weapons stockpiles. The Indian foreign ministry termed the agreement reached between the Foreign Minister of Russia Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry and on Syrias chemical weapons stockpiles, as an "important step in the process". The foreign ministry further stated such developments would reinvigorate peace efforts towards a political solution to the Syrian conflict. It further noted that this will lead to the early convening of the proposed "International Conference on Syria" (Geneva-II), which will bring all parties to the conflict to the negotiating table. India has also expressed satisfaction upon recent steps taken by Syria to accede to the Chemical Weapons Convention. "This is in alignment with Indias consistent stance of supporting the complete destruction and elimination of chemical weapons worldwide," the ministry added. India further reiterated its call upon all sides to the Syrian conflict to abjure violence so that conditions can be created for an inclusive political dialogue leading to a comprehensive political solution while taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. "Any external military intervention in Syrias affairs should be excluded," the ministry stated. Syria was struck by new tension after its troops allegedly used chemical weapons in the capital Damascus attracting widespread criticism from across the world.