By Simran Sodhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his just-concluded visit to the United States, held two important bilateral. The PM met with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and also with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It also points to India’s unique positioning today where it can reach out and talk to different parties involved in conflict.
The meeting with the Palestinian President is also indicative of the fact that India, despite its close ties with Israel, is in touch with the Palestinian Authority and also providing aid and relief to them. India has also been categorical in its stand that it is not dealing with Hamas. This meeting also comes within days after India abstained on a United Nations resolution calling on Israel to vacate the Occupied Palestinian Territories within the next 12 months. Since the breakout of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, India has been perceived as being closer to Israel. Though India has maintained that its stands for a two-state solution and as a result has had to do a diplomatic tight-walk in this crisis.
Meanwhile, a read out released by the government on the meeting said, “Prime Minister expressed deep concern at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating security situation in the region and reaffirmed India’s unwavering support to the people of Palestine, including continued humanitarian assistance”.
“Mr. Modi emphasized that only a two-State solution would deliver peace, as he called for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, the release of hostages, and a return to diplomacy and dialogue,” the government readout said.
Also, PM Modi did not meet the Israeli President on the sidelines of the UN this time as the Israeli President arrived a day after PM Modi finished his trip and left for India.
