India asks North and South Koreas to respect international obligations

Expressing sympathy at the tragic loss of lives and injuries caused to the civilians of Yeonpyeong Island in the military conflict between North and South Korea, India today asked the two countries to respect international obligations and return to negotiations.

"The government of India has closely followed developments in the Korean Peninsula over the last two days.....We urge both sides to maintain peace and stability in the region, and stress the need to respect international obligations and for return to negotiations," a statement by the external affairs ministry said today.

According to reports, the skirmish began yesterday when North Korea warned the South to halt military drills near their sea border.

When Seoul refused and began firing artillery into disputed waters but away from the North Korean shore, the North retaliated by shelling Yeonpyeong, which houses South Korean military installations and a small civilian population.

Seoul responded by unleashing its own barrage from K-9 155mm self-propelled howitzers and scrambling fighter jets, the reports said, adding two South Korean marines were killed in the shelling that also injured 15 troops and three civilians.