NEW DELHI: External affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said that regardless of the complexities of
Israel-Palestine conflict
, the underlying fact remains that the Palestinians have been denied their rights and
homeland
.
“The fact is whatever the rights and wrongs of the issue, there is underlying issue of the
rights of the Palestinians
and the fact that they have been denied their homeland,” Jaishankar said during an interaction in Malaysia.
Jaishankar condemned the terror attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7, while also acknowledging the complexities of the situation and the importance of upholding international humanitarian law in all responses.
The foreign minister also recognized the civilian casualties resulting from Israel’s counteroffensive in Gaza. Notably, the Gaza ministry reported more than 32,000 deaths, including women and children, due to the ongoing conflict.
While PM Modi was amongst the first global leaders to condemn the terror attack on Israel, India has also continued to support a ‘two-state solution’ to resolve the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Jaishankar’s visit to Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines aims to strengthen ties with these nations and explore opportunities for collaboration and growth.
During his visit to Malaysia, Jaishankar commended Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s vision for enhancing India-Malaysia relations and fostering a stronger partnership. He engaged in a round-table meeting with CEOs in Malaysia, encouraging them to explore collaboration with Indian industries and participate in India’s growth trajectory.
In a statement following the meeting, Jaishankar expressed optimism about the increasing interest of Malaysian businesses in partnering with Indian industries. He highlighted the potential for enhanced business interactions driven by geopolitical developments and encouraged mutual cooperation for mutual benefit.
(With agency inputs)