On Tuesday PM Modi spoke to his Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu and said, “India stands firmly with Israel… strongly and unequivocally condemns terrorism…”
New Delhi:
India said Thursday it had “always advocated… direct negotiations towards establishing… a sovereign, independent, and viable state of Palestine”. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said India is aware of a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law.
Describing India’s position on the Palestine issue as “longstanding and consistent”, Mr Bagchi had said the government would like to see negotiations leading to a Palestine state “living within secure and recognized borders, side-by-side (and) at peace with Israel. That position remains the same.”
The government’s comments follow earlier statements offering unequivocal support for Israel and no mention of Palestine, which was criticised by opposition politicians and civil society activists.
In his first remark on the Hamas’ October 7 strike, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared himself “deeply shocked” by the attack, which he swiftly identified as a “terrorist” action.