Israel-Palestine war: India backs direct talks for two-state solution

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi expressed support for Israel twice after Hamas’s October 7 attacks but days later, the Indian foreign minister came up with a balanced take that New Delhi has traditionally followed.

• Shubham
• 19 October, 2023

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By: Shubham Ghosh

THE international community must come together in combating terrorism in all formats, India’s ministry of external affairs (MEA) has said on the overall situation arising out of the Israel’s deadly conflict with Hamas in the Middle East.

Speaking to the media, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said one should have seen the remarks, tweets and the statement made by prime minister Narendra Modi.

“We havs strongly condemned the horrific terrorist attack on Israel. The international community must stand together in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. There was also the issue of Palestine and on that, we have reiterated our position in favour of direct negotiations for establishing a two-state solution. We have also expressed our concern at the civilian casualties and the humanitarian situation. We would urge the strict observance and international humanitarian law,” he said.

Bagchi also said that India has flow back home 1,200 people in five flights from Israel under ‘Operation Ajay’. He said 18 Nepalis have also returned.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi expressed support for Israel twice in the wake of Hamas’s devastating attacks on October 7, the second one coming next week following his talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu over the current situation in the Middle East.

A few days later, the MEA came up with a more balanced take on the matter, saying India is in favour of a ‘sovereign, independent and viable’ Palestine state peacefully co-existing with Israel.

Bagchi said on that occasion that India has always been in favour of resumption of “direct negotiations” for a viable state of Palestine within “secure and recognised borders”. He also added that India hopes that the state of Palestine could exist “side by side at peace with Israel”.