Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on Israel amid the recent escalation with Gaza-based militants, resulting in over 1,600 casualties in three days. Prime Minister Modi, who shares a close relationship with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterated India’s firm support for Israel.
In a phone call with Netanyahu, Modi expressed solidarity and condemned terrorism unequivocally. He thanked Netanyahu for the update on the situation and assured that the people of India stand firmly with Israel during this challenging time.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi had expressed shock over the cross-border attack by Hamas militants, which reportedly claimed the lives of more than 900 people. The Indian National Congress, the main opposition party, called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and emphasized its longstanding support for the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to land, self-government, dignity, and respect.
India has developed a strong strategic and diplomatic partnership with Israel in recent years. However, for decades, India maintained a delicate balance between Israel and Palestine, with historical ties to both. India was the only non-Arab state among the 13 that voted against the creation of Israel under a UN partition plan for Palestine in 1948. It recognized Israel two years later and established formal diplomatic relations in 1992 when it opened an embassy in Tel Aviv.
India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, opposed the concept of another nation based on religious nationalism following the subcontinent’s partition into India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan after gaining independence from the British. Even former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a member of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party, supported Palestine’s cause and called for Israel to vacate the land occupied by Arabs in 1977 during his tenure as foreign minister.
However, India’s stance gradually shifted under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, decoupling the Israel-Palestine issue and strengthening ties with Israel, especially in defense Israeland strategic areas. In 2017, Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel.
New Delhi has abstained from voting on UN resolutions against Israel in recent years, including one at the Human Rights Council that condemned Israeli actions in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Israel is home to approximately 85,000 Jews of Indian origin who began emigrating there in the 1950s and 1960s, as well as nearly 18,000 Indian citizens, primarily caregivers, IT professionals, and students. The Indian government is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to launch an evacuation mission for stranded citizens. Thus far, no incidents of violence or injuries to Indians have been reported.
Source: with agencies