New Delhi: Calling for an immediate ceasefire, India on Monday said that it was “deeply pained” at the “continuing deaths” of civilians in the Gaza conflict at the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting in Riyadh.
Without taking any names, Union external affairs minister S. Jaishankar reiterated that while India condemns acts of terrorism and hostage-taking, it also wants an end to violence at the earliest.
“The current situation in Gaza is now understandably our foremost concern. India’s position in this regard has been principled and consistent. While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians. Any response must take into account the principles of humanitarian law. We support a ceasefire as soon as possible,” he said at the summit.
Jaishankar added that India has long advocated for a resolution to the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution and has contributed to building Palestinian institutions and capacities. The minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to humanitarian relief efforts, noting an increase in support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The foreign ministers of the seven GCC countries met in Riyadh for their ministerial council and also held separate meetings with their counterparts from India, Russia and Brazil
The latest military action by Israel began after October 7, 2023 when Hamas launched a terror attack across the border, killing more than 1,200 people and taking 250 as hostage inside Palestinian territory.
More than 40,000 people have been killed due to Israel’s military campaign in Israel, with around 70% estimated to be women and children.
Following the October 7 Hamas attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “solidarity” with Israel. India also abstained from voting on an initial UN General Assembly resolution that called for a humanitarian pause in Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Yet, in subsequent days, India has had to reiterate its position on its support for the Palestinian cause in addition to its consistent referral to its intolerance to any kind of terrorism.
It has since backed UNGA resolutions advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza, including the most recent one supporting Palestine’s UN membership.
Modi had also called for ceasefire in his phone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month.
The first India-GCC meeting resulted in the adoption of a Joint Action Plan 2024-2028, outlining collaborative efforts in areas such as health, trade, security, agriculture and food security, transportation, energy, and culture.
