New Delhi: India on Friday expressed deep concern over the conflict in Syria, saying world powers should not resort to any military intervention in that country. "India is deeply concerned at the ongoing conflict in Syria and is closely watching the fast paced developments," External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said in his address at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Heads of State Summit.

"We have consistently called upon all sides to abjure violence so that conditions can be created for an inclusive political dialogue leading to a comprehensive political solution, taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people," he said. Stressing against any external military intervention in Syria's affairs, Khurshid said: "We are encouraged by the current proposal, steered by Russia, that is aimed at bringing the Syrian chemical stockpile under international control.

"This proposal is in alignment with India's own consistent stance of supporting the complete destruction and elimination of chemical weapons worldwide." India sees any move in this direction, "within the framework of the UN, as a positive development", he said. "We are hopeful that this development will reinvigorate the peace efforts towards a political solution to the Syrian conflict, including the early holding of the proposed International Conference on Syria (Geneva-II), bringing all parties to the conflict to the negotiating table," he added.

Khurshid further said India was concerned about security challenges that may emanate from the developing situation in Afghanistan. "We see SCO as an important body that can offer a credible alternative regional platform to discuss the challenges related to Afghanistan," he said. India strongly believes Afghanistan can successfully complete the security, political and economic transitions in coming years and regain its historical place as a hub for regional trade and transit routes, the External Affairs Minister said.