«I think the Prime Minister’s comments stand on their own and they do not require any clarification,» Bagchi said.
India on Thursday described the strikes by Hamas on Israeli cities as “terror attacks” but at the same time reaffirmed its long-standing position, advocating negotiations towards establishing a “sovereign, independent and viable” state of Palestine living side-by-side at peace with Israel.
In first detailed comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing that there was a universal obligation to observe international humanitarian law as also a global responsibility to fight the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Bagchi was responding to questions about the plight of Palestinians in Gaza in view of Israel’s counter-attacks following Hamas’s surprise strikes and US President Joe Biden’s message to Tel Aviv to “operate by the rules of war”.
The spokesperson also said India’s focus has been to bring back from Israel the Indians who wish to return in view of the current situation.
On India’s position on Palestine, he said it has been always consistent.
“Our policy in this regard has been long-standing and consistent…India has always advocated the resumption of direct negotiations towards establishing a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel.
