External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted India’s “balanced approach” to the Middle East and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Emphasizing India’s strong opposition to terrorism and hostage-taking, he also underscored the importance of respecting humanitarian law and minimizing civilian casualties during military operations.
Jaishankar said, “There is one issue which I would like to place before you because it’s very topical. And it is something that might come up in your own interactions with local people. So it’s important that you know that it pertains to the conflict and violence that has been going on in the Middle East. India’s approach is an approach which is balanced, which is not one sided, which looks at the issue in all its complexity and which also has a fundamental commitment to justice and equity.”
“As a country that itself has been impacted so deeply by terrorism, we are very strongly opposed to terrorism and hostage-taking. They should never be excused or condoned. But at the same time, it is very important that any action that is taken by any government or any armed force must always take care of civilian casualties, must always be respectful of humanitarian law and should cater for relief. And, you know, looking after people who are affected in any operation,” he added.
The minister further highlighted India’s assistance to Palestine and Lebanon amid the ongoing crisis. “And that is why, in the midst of all of this, India has also been contributing to the UNRWA, and India has supplied relief material to Palestine. We have also given medicines to Lebanon because of the fighting and the casualties which have taken place there,” Jaishankar said.
He continued, “And at the end of the day, we do believe that there must be a solution to the Palestinian issue because if there is not one that will always remain the cause of instability in this region, so we do support a two-state solution. Obviously, that is something the international community has to discuss and agree upon.”
Jaishankar was on an official visit to Qatar and Bahrain from December 6-9. In Bahrain’s capital city Manama on Monday, he co-chaired the 4th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting with his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani.
The External Affairs Minister reviewed the bilateral relationship and explored new opportunities in space, education, FinTech, and technology. “Pleased to co-chair the 4th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting alongside Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani in Manama today,” Jaishankar stated in a post on X. “We took stock of our bilateral relationship, focusing on trade, investments, healthcare, energy, security, tourism, and people-to-people ties. We also discussed new avenues in space, education, FinTech, and technology and exchanged views on recent regional developments,” he added.
(ANI)