Thu Sep 27, 4:20 AM ET

NEW DELHI - India expressed concern at the situation in Myanmar as reports from the military-run nation said at least four people had been killed in a crackdown on protesters including three monks.

"We are concerned at the situation in Myanmar and are monitoring it closely," Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a statement from New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly session.

"It is our hope that all sides will resolve their issues peacefully through dialogue.

"As a close and friendly neighbour, India hopes to see a peaceful, stable and prosperous Myanmar, where all sections of the people will be included in a broad-based process of national reconciliation and political reform," he said.

Mukherjee also said that "Myanmar's process of national reconciliation initiated by the authorities should be expedited."

An earlier statement from Mukherjee's ministry said that process "should be more inclusive and broad-based."

At least four people, including three Buddhist monks, protesting against the military government died Wednesday in clashes with security forces, including two who were beaten to death, officials and hospital sources said.

Political watchdog International Crisis Group on Tuesday urged UN chief Ban Ki-moon to push Myanmar's allies China and India into talks with the junta.

Energy-hungry India and China, along with other Asian countries, have been jockeying for a share of Myanmar's vast energy resources -- weakening US and European economic sanctions.

Indian Oil Minister Murli Deora on Sunday signed accords pledging to invest 150 million dollars for gas exploration in Myanmar during a visit to the country's new administrative capital, Naypyidaw.

The meeting came as pro-democracy protests gathered steam, with crowds swelling to 100,000 people on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Anti-government protests began after a surprise huge rise in the price of fuel on August 15, a heavy blow for people already battling to make ends meet in the impoverished nation.