New Delhi: Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended solidarity to Israel and held a phone call with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified Thursday that India continues to abide by its “long-standing position” on the resumption of negotiations towards a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, in a weekly press briefing, further stated that New Delhi views the attack launched by Hamas against Israeli citizens on 7 October as a “terrorist” act.
“Our position on Palestine has been long-standing and consistent. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards a sovereign independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side and at peace with Israel. That position remains the same,” said Bagchi.
Asked about whether India is considering designating Hamas a “terror” organisation, the MEA spokesperson argued that that is a “legal matter”.
Starting shortly!
Tune in for our Weekly Media Briefing:https://t.co/aNPT7x3cnL
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) October 12, 2023
“This is a legal matter, it will have to be seen legally. But in our position, we have been very clear that this is a terrorist attack,” he said.
On 7 October, PM Modi had in a post on X, condemned the “terrorist attacks in Israel,” and expressed India’s “solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour”.
Deeply shocked by the news of terrorist attacks in Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with Israel at this difficult hour.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 7, 2023
Unlike the leaders of Brazil, China, or Indonesia, Modi made no mention of India’s stand on the two-state solution, which has been its position on the issue for many decades. Instead, his statement resembled closely the position of the US and other G7 countries which condemned Hamas and supported Israel’s right to defend itself.
“Prime Minister’s comments stand on their own and do not require any clarification,” Bagchi told reporters Thursday.
Adding to his response, he emphasised the “universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law” and “global responsibility to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations”.
The MEA spokesperson also said that the no Indian casualties have been reported from Israeli or Palestinian territories yet.
I thank Prime Minister @netanyahu for his phone call and providing an update on the ongoing situation. People of India stand firmly with Israel in this difficult hour. India strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 10, 2023
The conflict between Hamas and Israel has reportedly claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis and more than 1,100 Palestinians living in the Gaza strip. Netanyahu, meanwhile, has joined hands with Opposition leader Benny Gantz to form an emergency government.
Also Read: ‘Hope India will look at it from both sides’ — Palestinian ambassador on Israel-Hamas war
230 Indians to be evacuated
As part of ‘Operation Ajay’, approximately 230 Indians will board a chartered flight from Tel Aviv to Delhi Thursday night in the first batch of evacuation, according to the MEA. Bagchi added that there are currently 12-13 Indians in the West Bank and 3-4 in Gaza.
ThePrint reported earlier that a chartered flight will leave Ben Gurion Airport at 9 pm (Israel time) Thursday, but not all Indians are opting for evacuation, specifically those working in Israel as caregivers, to the elderly, on a single-entry visa.
Launching #OperationAjay to facilitate the return from Israel of our citizens who wish to return.
Special charter flights and other arrangements being put in place.
Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) October 11, 2023
Bagchi also said that Sheeja Anand, an Indian national from Kerala, was injured in missile strikes in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon earlier this week. She is recovering in a hospital in Israel and the Indian government is in close touch with the family, he added.
The Indian government, he said, is also in touch with Lubna Nazir Shaboo, an Indian national from Jammu & Kashmir living in Gaza, and efforts are being made to evacuate her and other Indian nationals despite “constraints” in the war-stricken area.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
Also Read: ‘In solidarity with Israel’ — India stands apart from Global South, joins West in condemning Hamas