The European Parliament,

A. deploring the murder of Rajiv Gandhi and many other candidates and electors who were participating in the elections in the world's largest democracy,

B. whereas in recent years India has been faced with rising violence, against the background of great poverty which has drawn this country into a cruel spiral of local nationalism, caste conflicts and religious intransigence,

C. having regard to the determination of successive governments (all democratically elected) to maintain the democratic and secular union of the 25 states of India in the face of these conflicts and having regard to the common desire in India to construct a modern, stable, tolerant and pluralist country committed to a policy of development,

1. Condemns the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and all forms of terrorism and political violence;

2. Expresses its support for his family, already very distressed, and the people of India and its hope that this tragedy will not lead to even greater violence;

3. Regrets the fact that assassinations and terrorist attacks may be considered a means of expression by a number of extremists who thus damage their cause;

4. Salutes the determination of the Indian Government to continue with the elections in these difficult circumstances;

5. Hopes that India returns to political practices of religious tolerance, democracy and non-violence, based on the example set by Mahatma Gandhi and expresses its confidence that the maturity of this country will enable it to overcome any attempted destabilization;

6. Calls on all Indian political parties to refrain from any form of communal or caste-based politics in order to foster a multicultural and pluralist society and calls on European Political Cooperation to use its influence to strengthen democracy and pluralism in the face of extremism and violation of human rights;

7. Considers it essential for peace and security in international relations that India should achieve political equilibrium through free democratic elections;

8. Considers that India's problems can be resolved only if greater action is taken to combat underdevelopment and considers that the EEC must contribute to India's development by strengthening its relations for cooperation in all areas, thus helping India to overcome its serious economic and social problems and assuring the future of the democracy;

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, European Political Cooperation and the Indian Government.

(b)Joint resolution replacing B3-0939, 0945, 0971, 0990, 1000, 1020 and 1021/91