New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed India’s support for a two-state solution amid the Israel-Hamas war and welcomed the release of Israeli hostages during a bilateral meeting with Israel President Isaac Herzog Friday.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai.
“The two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in the region. Prime Minister expressed his condolences on the loss of lives in the October 7 terror attacks and welcomed the release of hostages,” read a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
“Prime Minister reiterated the need for continued and safe delivery of humanitarian aid for the affected population. He emphasised India’s support for a two-state solution and early and durable resolution of the Israel Palestine issue through dialogue and diplomacy,” it added.
Israeli warplanes resumed bombing on Gaza Friday afternoon, putting an end to a temporary week-long truce earlier brokered by Qatar and Egypt.
When the war first broke out on 7 October, PM Modi was one of the first world leaders to condemn Hamas’ attack, calling it a terror act.
“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,” he said in a statement hours after the attack that killed over 1,000 Israelis.
Days later, on 12 October, the MEA clarified that India abides by its long-standing position that supports a two-state solution and an independent Palestinian state.
“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 MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a press briefing at the time.
This month, India abstained at the UN General Assembly on a resolution calling for humanitarian truce in Israel-Hamas conflict — a move Israel welcomed — but it also later voted in favour of a resolution condemning Israeli settlement activities in Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Israel is currently in talks with India to designate Hamas as a terror organisation, the Israel Ambassador to India Naor Gilon had informed earlier this month. Last week, ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks on 26 November, Israel officially designated Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) a terror organisation which the Israel envoy had termed “the right gesture” to make.
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