India has stated that it is willing to cooperate with all sides of the conflict in Gaza to assist in bringing peace to the area. The nation repeated its demands for a ceasefire and the freeing of hostages and reiterated its commitment to attaining stability in West Asia.
In a debate on Palestine at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, India's Permanent Representative P. Harish said, "It is India's aspiration to have peace and tranquility return to West Asia, and we are committed to working closely with all stakeholders towards making this vision a reality."
India is one of the rare countries with direct and open diplomatic relations with both Israel and Palestine. Though Harish avoided mentioning Israel directly or Hamas, he denounced the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas and spoke about the subsequent suffering following Israel's resumption of its military campaign in response.
Harish's words reflect India's historical role as a victim of terrorism, which has resulted in close defense ties with Israel, while retaining its traditional connections with Palestine and the wider Arab world. "Terrorism is never acceptable, irrespective of the grievances which have to be settled only by peaceful means," he insisted, adding that India was one of the first countries to denounce the terrorist strikes on October 7, 2023.
With the breakdown of a temporary ceasefire, Harish noted that operations had reopened, resulting in casualties amongst civilians, especially children and women. The ceasefire, which had been in place since January, disintegrated in March when Israel resumed air attacks and ground operations against Hamas. The hesitant and gradual release of Israeli hostages by Hamas also ended then.
A ceasefire should be established at the earliest, humanitarian aid should be allowed to flow without any impediments, and all hostages should be freed," Harish appealed.
India, according to Harish, "invites all concerned to abandon violence, free hostages, and follow the path of negotiations so that all citizens can live normal lives."
He reiterated that the two-state solution whereby Israel and Palestine are coequal nations side by side is the solution to "enduring and sustainable peace" and emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy are critical in resolving the conflict.
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