Indian PM Narendra Modi expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating security situation in the region during his meeting with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas in New York.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Summit of the Future in the US city on September 22.
The Prime Minister reiterated India’s time-tested principled position on the Israel-Palestine issue, and called for ceasefire, release of hostages and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy.
He stressed that only a two-State solution will deliver enduring peace and stability in the region.
Recalling that India was one of the first countries to recognize Palestine, he conveyed India’s continued support to Palestine membership of the UN.
“The two leaders held constructive discussion on various facets of India-Palestine bilateral relations, including India’s support to Palestine at the United Nations and ongoing assistance and support to Palestine in the field of education, health, and other capacity building efforts,” read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen India-Palestine bilateral relations.
A savage Hamas attack against Israel on October 7 comprising rocket launches and vehicle-transported and powered paraglider incursions massacring and kidnapping civilians in a music festival breaching the border triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Israel repulsed the attack with unprecedented fury, killing more than 40,000 people so far as the war extended to southern Lebanon with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.