India has welcomed the Syrian peace talks in Kazakhstan. India's Deputy Permanent Representative in the United Nations, Tanmaya Lal, in a Security Council debate, said that India welcomes all efforts to end violence in Syria and to jump-start the political process. <br/><br/>He said, it is encouraging that the process is committed to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. Lal described the truce in Syria, which came into effect on December 30, as a much-needed positive development. <br/><br/>He said India look forward to the outcome of the direct talks in Astana. He also said meaningful involvement of the UN is essential in the Syrian peace process. <br/><br/>The talks organised by Turkey, Russia and Iran to put an end to the brutal war raging in Syria since March 2011 are scheduled to begin on January 23 in Kazakhstan capital Astana.