Pyongyang, December 4 (KCNA) -- India said on Wednesday that the "biggest stumbling block" to direct negotiations for the Middle East peace process is Israeli continued settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territory.

The statement came as Hardeep Singh Puri, Indian permanent representative to the UN, addressed the General Assembly in a plenary meeting on the question of Palestine.

"We call upon Israel to stop settlement activities," said Puri.

"It is necessary that direct talks between Israel and Palestine resume without any further delay," said Puri.