New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held a telephone conversation Saturday about the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict hours after India abstained from voting on a resolution in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly since it did not condemn the Palestinian group.
According to a statement from the Egyptian President’s spokesperson, Modi and El-Sisi discussed the “danger” of escalations in the conflict zone, while the latter pushed for a ceasefire to contain the humanitarian crisis.
“Mr President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from Mr Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, in which views were exchanged between the two leaders on the latest developments in the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, and the danger of continuing the current escalation,” read the statement.
“The President stressed Egypt’s continued efforts to coordinate regional and international efforts to push for a ceasefire,” it added.
Modi Sunday posted on X a statement on his conversation with El-Sisi. “We agree on the need for early restoration of peace and stability and facilitating humanitarian assistance,” he wrote.
Yesterday, spoke with President @AlsisiOfficial. Exchanged views on the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in West Asia. We share concerns regarding terrorism, violence and loss of civilian lives. We agree on the need for early restoration of peace and stability…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 29, 2023
His statement, however, left out any mention of the Egyptian President’s push for a ‘ceasefire’. India is yet to officially call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Israel Saturday continued ground raids into Gaza with indications that the military was preparing to launch an expansive operation. “We have already killed thousands of terrorists and this is only the beginning,” Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said in a televised address Thursday.
At the UN General Assembly Saturday, over 40 member states — including all of India’s fellow BRICS members such as China, Pakistan, Russia and South Africa — co-sponsored the resolution that called for a “sustained humanitarian truce” and halting of fighting in the Gaza Strip.
There were 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions.
India, however, supported an amendment, proposed by Canada, which sought an explicit condemnation of Hamas and the abduction of Israeli civilians.
Also read: Amid strained ties, India backs Canada-proposed amendment condemning Hamas to UN resolution on Gaza
‘Grave effects on civilian lives or threat to security’
During the phone conversation between Modi and El-Sisi, the latter expressed concern over the escalation of the situation in the Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian President warned that if it continues to escalate, it may have “grave effects on the lives of civilians, or the threat it poses to security.”
Egypt is a major regional player in the conflict, as it operates the Rafah border crossing through which aid has now started to pass. With food, water and fuel fast running out, this the only border crossing through which aid is reaching Gaza and is the sole remaining exit out of the enclave.
Last week, after US President Joe Biden visited Israel and spoke to regional players, Washington and Cairo agreed to bring humanitarian aid into Gaza ‘in a sustainable manner’.
“Solutions at the diplomatic level includes implementing an immediate humanitarian truce that preserves the lives of civilians and allows humanitarian aid to enter the Strip immediately and without interruption or obstruction,” the statement said.
The statement added that the two leaders expressed satisfaction over bilateral relations and the “strategic” partnership.
In January, President El-Sisi was the chief guest for India’s Republic Day celebrations, during which leaders from both countries signed an agreement to elevate the bilateral relationship to a “strategic partnership”.
This is an updated version of the story.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
Also read: ‘Heartless, fascist regime’: Congress’s KC Venugopal slams govt for abstaining from UN vote on Gaza