- Monday, May 20, 2024
The two leaders also shared concerns on the safety of maritime traffic.
By: Shubham Ghosh
WITHIN a week of India supporting a UN resolution for an immediate ceasefire in war-rocked Gaza, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday (19) that he spoke with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and emphasized New Delhi’s commitment to quickly restoring peace in the region.
The leader added that during his “productive exchange” with the Israeli PM, “shared concerns” were expressed about the safety of maritime traffic in the region in the wake of the war that has claimed several thousands of lives, given recent attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea, raising concerns about potential disruptions to international commerce.
In a post on X, Modi said, “Had a productive exchange of views with PM @netanyahu on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, including shared concerns on the safety of maritime traffic. Highlighted India’s consistent stand in favour of early restoration of peace & stability in the region with continued humanitarian assistance for the affected.”
Had a productive exchange of views with PM @netanyahu on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, including shared concerns on the safety of maritime traffic. Highlighted India’s consistent stand in favour of early restoration of peace & stability in the region with continued…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 19, 2023
A statement from Netanyahu’s office emphasized on the two prime ministers underscoring the “importance of safeguarding the free shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait which is threatened by the Houthis at the behest of Iran, and the global interest in preventing harm to international trade, including the economies of Israel and India”, The Times of Israel reported.
The statement also quoted Modi as saying that freedom of shipping is an essential global requirement that must be protected.
According to the Gaza health ministry, at least 19,600 people — mostly women and children — have been killed in Israeli attacks there since October 7, when Hamas launched massive coordinated attacks on the Jewish country, eliminating around 1,200 citizens. More than 200 people were also taken hostage.
On December 13, India voted in favour of a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly that sought immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict in the Middle East and unconditional release of all hostages.
New Delhi’s stance in the war had come under the scanner earlier after Modi expressed support for Israel on more than one occasion, triggering a backlash from his opposition at home. The Indian external affairs ministry later came up with a balanced take, speaking in favour of an independent Palestine state co-existing with Israel peacefully.
