‘India supports the establishment of an independent state of Palestine’ MEA statement amid Israel war

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said India is confident in its long-term support for the establishment of a “sovereign, independent and viable” state of Palestine. He said, “Our policy has been long-term and consistent. India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations for the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, within secure and recognized borders, with Israel. Can live together in peace.”

This is the first statement given by India on the Palestine issue after the rocket attack on Israel by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has twice spoken about the Israel-Hamas war, both times condemning the “terrorist attack” on Israel by Hamas. On Monday, “the Prime Minister said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had told him about Israel and Hamas’ Gave information about the conflict. He expressed support for Israel during “this difficult time”.

Ask about the humanitarian situation in Israel and Gaza

Upon leaving, Bagchi said that following humanitarian law is a universal obligation. “We also have a responsibility to fight the threat of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said that the first flight from Israel to bring back Indian citizens under ‘Operation Ajay’ will land in India today. Gachi said India has appealed to all its citizens in Israel to contact their embassy to get their names added to the list for arranging chartered flights.

In the press conference, Arindam Bagchi was asked whether India would provide help to Israel in the form of weapons. He said, “Our main focus at the moment is to bring back Indians safely from Israel.” Bagchi said that there are about 18,000 Indians in Israel and India has received information about one of its citizens being injured there. We are in touch with them. “They are in hospital and recovering. There are no casualties so far.” He said there were four Indians in Gaza and 12 in the West Bank.

The flight from Israel to India will see the return of 230 Indians living in Israel. Amidst the ongoing war with Hamas terrorists in Israel, the Indian government is making efforts to evacuate the Indians stranded there. The Indians are being brought back under ‘Operation Ajay’ announced by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday.